Chris Dodd: “I have in front of me a chart which demonstrates what I think most Members of this body are familiar with; that is, the…”

“I have in front of me a chart which demonstrates what I think most Members of this body are familiar with; that is, the rising cost of special education in our country and the rising population of students who are requiring special education services. Presently, for the special education needs of America, 55 percent of the cost is being borne by our States, and 35 percent is being borne by local governments and local property taxes, and roughly 10 percent by the Federal Government. It is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), endorsed and supported by those of us here in Congress, which rightly encourages and provides for the inclusion of all children who require special education services in the educational process of this Nation. It is worthy of note that at the time the U.S. Congress passed the IDEA legislation, it was recommended that the Federal Government would provide 40 percent of the costs of special education services. Several decades later, the Federal Government is presently only contributing 10 percent of the costs of special education. Mr. President, special education costs are rising. We are told nationally that these numbers are moving up. In 1991, special education costs were 17 percent of the overall education budget; they are now 19 percent of the overall education budget.”