Linda McMahon recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a law that has guaranteed federal protections for infants, toddlers, and students with disabilities and their families. Today, more than 8 million individuals with disabilities are served under IDEA and are guaranteed early intervention and a free appropriate education.

Challenges in Special Education

Despite the progress made, many families still face significant challenges in accessing timely and appropriate special education services. McMahon’s team has held listening sessions with over a thousand parents, educators, and advocates across the country to better understand the current state of services for individuals with disabilities. These conversations highlighted the need for less red tape and stronger results in special education.

The Trump Administration has proposed increasing special education funding by over half a billion dollars and reducing paperwork burdens so special education teachers can spend more time serving students. McMahon emphasized the importance of federal civil rights protections for children with disabilities and the need for a federal partnership that supports state and local efforts to make systems that are successful for parents, educators, and communities serving individuals with disabilities.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.