Number: RL32085
Title: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Current Funding Trends
Authors: Ann Lordeman, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the major federal statute that supports special education and related services for children with disabilities. This report traces recent funding trends for this program and tracks the status of actions to "fully fund" the grants-to-states program under Part B of IDEA. FY2008 total funding for IDEA is nearly $12.0 billion. FY2008 funding for the Part B grants-to-states program is $10.9 billion. Since FY1995, funding for the Part B grants to states program has nearly quintupled, although in recent years funding growth has slowed. Full funding of IDEA is generally considered to be 40% of the excess cost (i.e., the additional cost) of educating children with disabilities. The FY2008 amount for the grants-to-states program represents 17.17% of the estimated excess cost of serving children with disabilities, which is virtually the same percent as the 17.13% of excess cost that the FY2007 appropriation represented.
Pages: 11
Date: April 11, 2008