Urging the United States Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

This Alaska House Joint Resolution urges the U.S. Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which guarantees free appropriate public education for children with disabilities. The bill highlights that while the federal government originally committed to covering 40% of special education costs, it currently funds only about 13%, creating financial strain on local school districts and families. It notes that over 7 million children nationwide qualify for these services, with Alaska seeing an increase in eligible students from 2014 to 2024, yet still faces waitlists and staffing shortages. The resolution calls for federal funding to keep pace with actual costs and inflation to support special education programs across the state.