MN SF786

Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Public Law 94-142) in 1975 with an intent to fund 40 percent of special education costs.

Federal funding for special education in Minnesota has never exceeded 18 percent of total costs, except for one year when American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds were appropriated.

States and local school districts have been primarily responsible for funding special education services due to insufficient federal funding.

Resolution urges Congress to fund 40 percent of special education costs and provide significant assistance to states to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

Resolution requests that federal maintenance of effort requirements apply only to state special education appropriations and not to local school district subsidies from general education funds.