IDEA Full Funding Coalition Holds Briefing on Capitol Hill Featuring CEC Past President Dr. Danielle Kovach

On Wednesday, October 18th, CEC joined the IDEA Full Funding Coalition for a briefing on Capitol Hill on the IDEA Full Funding Act (H.R. 4519 S. 2217). CEC’s Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor, Kuna Tavalin, started the briefing by discussing the importance of fully funding IDEA. Congress is currently only meeting 13% of the 40% of the full funding pledged during the adoption of IDEA. This summer, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Representative GT Thompson (R-PA) introduced the IDEA Full Funding Act. This act would provide a glide path to fully funding IDEA over the next ten years.  

Senator Chris Van Hollen appeared at the briefing and talked about the importance of IDEA and full funding. The Maryland senator has introduced similar acts many times over his time in Congress. Senator Van Hollen remarked, “Why do we keep at it? It's the right thing to do. This is something we got to do for kids. Funding this helps all students, those with disabilities and those without disabilities.” 

The briefing included a panel discussion moderated by Christina Samuels, an education reporter at the Hechinger Report, and included special educator and Past President of CEC, Danielle M. Kovach, EdD. Kovach talked about her classroom, her philosophy of teaching, and challenges of working with a strained budget. “In my classroom, I know my students have the right to a free and an appropriate education. It's my job to get them what they need to be successful,” she remarked. 

Fully funding IDEA would improve inclusion, ensure students have meaningful engagement with their peers, meet their IEP goals, and benefit all students.