WASHINGTON – For the fourth time in four months, Minnesota Congressman John Kline introduced an amendment today that would increase funding for special education through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), freeing up desperately needed resources for schools nationwide.

“For far too long, our nation’s schools have been waiting patiently for Congress to fulfill its promise to fully fund the federal share of special education,” said Congressman Kline, the top Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee. “By doing our part, we would enable schools across America to direct limited resources to address their specific needs – whether it is state of the art classrooms, additional teachers, or new textbooks.”

In 1975, Congress enacted IDEA to help states and school districts provide a free, appropriate, public education for children with disabilities. At that time, Congress committed to providing 40 percent of the excess cost of educating children with disabilities. In 2004, Congress established a clear pattern to reach the 40 percent goal by 2011, but funding has remained well below those levels. Funding for the program currently stands at 17.5 percent, leaving states and school districts to cover the shortfall by reducing spending on other local priorities.

The amendment introduced today by Congressman Kline to the annual spending bill for the U.S. Department of Education would have increased special education funding by $1 billion for the coming year by decreasing spending on ineffective and low-priority programs.

“I have heard countless stories of schools in my district and across the nation being forced to choose between cutting bus routes, eliminating extracurricular activities, or increasing class sizes to cope with shrinking budgets,” said Congressman Kline, who has introduced four amendments so far in the 111th Congress to increase special education funding. “Our teachers and administrators should instead be able to focus on the important job of providing the best education possible for all children.”

In his fourth term in Congress, Congressman Kline is the Senior Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee. He is also a member of the Armed Services Committee.