New Plan to Fund Schools Includes Van Hollen Proposal to Invest in Special Education

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced that the new Democratic proposal – “A Better Deal for Teachers and Students” – includes his plan to finally ensure Congress meets its commitment to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

“While Republicans pour money into their tax plan for the rich, America’s schools remain underfunded and our teachers go without well-deserved raises. This plan underlines what families across the country know – ensuring that every child has access to a quality education is crucial to our success. This means providing more resources to our schools so that they can hire and retain quality educators, afford up-to-date technology and materials, and ensure that every child in every neighborhood gets a good education,” said Senator Van Hollen.

 

“It also means fulfilling our promise to support special education. IDEA was a historic step forward in 1975, but since its passage, Congress has failed to provide the funding promised under the law. That is why I have introduced the IDEA Full Funding Act, to ensure that every child with a disability has access to educational opportunity. I’m proud that this goal has been included as part of this package supported by my Democratic colleagues in both the House and the Senate,” Van Hollen added. “I will continue pushing for this – and all of our goals on education – as we work to ensure all Americans have the opportunity to succeed.”

 

Senator Van Hollen first introduced the IDEA Full Funding Act as the EDUCATE Act in 2007 when he was in the House of Representatives. He reintroduced it in the Senate with Senator John Tester in March 2018. The Democrats’ “A Better Deal for Teachers and Students” can be found here.

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