All the wrangling is over regarding funding of the federal government for FY21 (Oct 1, 2020 – Sept 30, 2021). Funding was provided via the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, H.R. 133.
IDEA received an increase of $181.5 million or 1.3%, for a total of $14,070,743 billion.
GRANTS TO STATES (Parts B and C)
- IDEA Grants to States for children with disabilities ages 3-21 (Part B Section 611) will receive a $173 million increase or 1.4%, for a total of $12.937 billion.
- IDEA Preschool Grants to States for children with disabilities ages 3-5 (Part B Section 619) will receive a $3.5 million increase or 1%, for a total of $398 million.
- IDEA Grants for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C) will receive a $4.9 million increase or 1%, for a total of $481.9 million.
NATIONAL ACTIVITIES (Part D)
IDEA National Activities will receive a $4.1 million increase or 1.6%, for a total of $254 million. (All programs are funded at FY 2020 levels unless noted):
- State Personnel Development Grants – $38.6 million
- Technical assistance and dissemination – $44.3 million
- Special Olympics education programs – $23.7 million (increase of $3.6 million or 18%)
- Personnel Preparation – $90.2 million – an increase of $500,000 or .5%
- Parent Information Centers – $27.4 million
- Education technology, media, and materials – $29.5 million
Some important points to remember regarding the increases given to IDEA Grants to states:
- LEAs – the school districts that will receive the increase in federal funds – are allowed to reduce their special education spending by up to 50% of the increase. (See maintenance of effort for more)
- The very nominal increase provided – 1.3% over FY 2020 – will not result in a “per child” increase since the number of children being served under IDEA has increased.
- The FY 2021 amount for Part B, section 611– $ 12.937 billion – remains FAR LESS than the amount authorized by IDEA and $3 billion short of the funding level requested in S. 1172, a bill to require full funding of part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
- See this article about full funding.