The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) today released a new Laszlo/Luntz poll that shows 84% of Americans oppose having opportunities denied to non-disabled children because of the lack of funding. Because compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is mandatory, the shortfall in funds, caused by the federal government's failure to fully fund its share of IDEA, typically has been made up from other education funding. The shortfall has forced state and local governments to cut funding and eliminate programs for non-disabled students.
This new poll also shows that Americans believe Congress should pay for its share of IDEA. Seventy five percent (75%) believe that the government should fund the program at the level authorized in the legislation.
Senator Collins (R-ME), along with Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN) and Representative Charles Bass (R-NH) took part in AASA's release of these results at a Capitol Hill press conference.
"When IDEA was passed, in 1975, Congress made a commitment to provide federal funding to assist states in achieving the principles that disabled children are entitled to receive a free and appropriate public education and that to the maximum extent possible, children with disabilities should be educated along side their non-disabled peers," said Senator Collins.
At that time, Congress authorized funding up to 40 percent of the costs borne by state governments to educate students with special needs. When Senator Collins first entered the Senate, the federal government was funding less than seven percent. She has worked over the past six years to increase that percentage to nearly 20 percent.
"We must do better," the Senator said, "and according to the information released today by the AASA, the vast majority of Americans believe that the government should fund this program at the maximum level authorized in the legislation. With reauthorization of IDEA on the horizon, I will continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reach that goal."
The American Association of School Administrators is the professional organization for over 14,000 educational leaders.