Washington, D.C. – In response to yesterday’s release of the negotiated Fiscal Year 2026 funding package for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, the Center for Learner Equity (CLE) thanks House and Senate appropriators for affirming the Department of Education’s (ED) critical role and ensuring all aspects of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are funded. Each component of the IDEA (Parts B, C, and D) reaches distinctly different constituents, from students with disabilities birth to 21, their families, and educators, to supports for districts and charter schools on implementing best practices, to critical research, and more. The funding package must be agreed upon to fully fund the government before the January 30 deadline.
“Appropriators have made their intent and directives clear: The Department of Education has an ongoing responsibility to carry out programs and activities that Congress has singularly directed the agency to do,” said Jennifer Coco, Interim Executive Director of CLE. “Language in the legislation requires ED to continue functioning. What’s more, we appreciate Congress recognizing that every subpart of our K-12 education statutes is essential by directing funding for IDEA Parts B, C, and D, and Title I, Title II, Title IV, including the Charter School Program, and the other Titles under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Schools rely on consistent resources to support the rights and education of 8 million children with disabilities. CLE will relentlessly urge full funding of IDEA in future fiscal years.”
CLE will continue to advocate for the ED to fulfill its essential functions and implement the directives of Congress, thereby ensuring access and opportunity for students with disabilities in public schools, including schools of choice, across the nation.
For CLE’s response to recent efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, see previous press statements here.
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