40 by 40 Campaign Toolkit
Fulfilling the IDEA Promise: Congress Must Fund 40%
When Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975, it promised to fund 40% of the excess costs associated with educating students who receive special education services. Fifty years later, federal funding remains at just 10%. This chronic underfunding shifts billions in costs onto states and local school districts who must meet IDEA requirements regardless of federal support.
Why it Matters
- The federal funding gap diverts funds from general education. Local districts must use general education revenue to cover special education shortfalls, reducing their ability to invest in literacy, mental health, STEM programming, career pathways, teacher recruitment and class size reduction.
- The burden is heaviest for rural and property-poor districts. Districts with limited tax capacity or high special education populations face disproportionate financial strain.
The purpose of this campaign is to mobilize school districts across the country and other national educational partners to demand that Congress finally meet its decades-old commitment to fund 40% of the cost to educate students in need of special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
A promise made in 1975, which has been unmet ever since.
Campaign Toolkit
Everything You Need to Start Advocating — Right Now.
The 40 by 40 advocacy toolkit was built for state school boards associations and the school districts they serve. It is free, comprehensive and designed so that any district regardless of size, staff capacity, or prior advocacy experience can use it. Our goal is straightforward — for Congress to finally honor the commitment it made in 1975: 40% federal IDEA funding by 2040.
Every piece of material in this toolkit is customizable. Add your district's name, data and unique story to make it your own. You'll be ready to engage your community and congressional delegation with a unified message.
