Rhoades Resolution Calls For Greater Federal Funding For Special Education

HARRISBURG – The Senate approved a resolution today urging Congress to increase funding for special education to meet Federal mandates, according to Senator James J. Rhoades (R-29).

Rhoades said that Pennsylvania receives only 37 percent out of 100 percent of the federally mandated special education grants that the Congress is supposed to provide to the Commonwealth's schools. While the population of children with special needs has grown by less than 1 percent in Pennsylvania since 2000, the state has increased spending by more than 25 percent to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Senate Resolution 91, sponsored by Rhoades, urges the President and Congress to provide full federal funding for the special education programs that are mandated by federal law, in order to fulfill the promise of special education funding that the Congress committed to when they enacted the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA).

"The Federal government must provide state and local governments with the funding they need to implement these mandates," Rhoades said. "Our special education students need and deserve support from both the state and Federal governments, and we are providing more than our fair share at the state and local levels."

Rhoades said that the Federal government currently provides just 37 percent of the total cost for special education in Pennsylvania, despite local school districts being held responsible for 100 percent of the cost for compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA).