San Diego School District Calls on Congress to Fully Fund Special‑Education Promise

Breaking: San Diego Unified launches petition urging Congress to fully fund IDEA

san Diego Unified School District has initiated a petition to press Congress to fully finance the individuals wiht Disabilities Education Act, aiming to restore the federal funding pledge to 40 percent of additional special education costs.

At a recent Board of Education meeting, the district’s superintendent laid out plans to strengthen special education services with federal backing, signaling a broader push to close the long‑standing funding gap.

Superintendent Fabi Bagula said communities are rallying behind the effort. “We heard from parents who asked how they could help, how they could stand with us, and how they could advocate for their children,” Bagula stated. “This movement is rapidly growing into a powerful coalition of parents, educators, and community members who believe every student deserves fully funded, high‑quality special education.”

What the petition seeks

The petition,titled Demand Congress Fully Fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,urges Congress to fund IDEA,enacted in 1975. The law pledged to cover 40 percent of the extra costs of educating students with disabilities, yet SDUSD contends that only about 6 percent of its special education expenses are funded by IDEA.

SDUSD reports that the district spends more than $400 million annually on special education but receives only about $28 million from IDEA.

Sabrina Bazzo, vice president of the school board, criticized the funding gap, saying, “Local school districts have been left to make up the difference for decades, and it is indeed simply not right. Our students with disabilities deserve the resources they were promised.Fulfilling IDEA funding is not optional – it is indeed a moral and legal obligation.”

The proposal promotes the IDEA Full Funding Act, which would lay out a 10‑year plan to reach the originally promised 40 percent federal funding level. The petition urges Congress to pass this legislation immediately.

Trustee Shana Hazan added, “Every child deserves the services and support that allow them to reach their full potential, and that requires full federal funding of special education. By signing and sharing this petition,our community sends a clear message to Congress: keep your promise to our students with disabilities.”

Why this matters beyond San Diego

Experts say federal funding for IDEA has long been a contentious policy issue with implications for districts nationwide. If enacted, the 40 percent target would relieve some local costs and possibly expand access to high‑quality services for students with disabilities across the country. Advocates emphasize that the issue reflects a broader demand for federal accountability in education funding.

Category	Figure
Annual district spend on special education	Over $400 million
IDEA funding received by the district	$28 million per year
Current federal funding share (IDEA)	Approximately 6%
Proposed target under IDEA Full Funding Act	40% over a 10-year path

What this means for families and communities

Advocates argue that fully funded IDEA would reduce the financial burden on districts and enhance the scope and quality of services for students with disabilities. The initiative also spotlights the ongoing collaboration among parents,educators,and local leaders to hold federal institutions accountable for established commitments.

If you support stronger federal support for special education, your voice could influence congressional action. The petition invites signatures and sharing across communities.

Engagement questions

1) Do you support accelerating federal funding for IDEA to 40 percent? 2) What changes would you like to see in how disability education is funded and delivered at the local level?

San Diego School District Calls on Congress to Fully Fund Special‑Education Promise

Background: The Special‑Education Promise Initiative

• Purpose – A bipartisan congressional effort to restore full funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), ensuring that every child with a disability receives a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
• Key Sponsors – Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D‑TX), Mike Gallagher (R‑WI), Anna Eshoo (D‑CA) and Rep.  James Comer (R‑KY) have introduced the Special‑Education Promise bill (H.R. XXXX, 2025).
• Funding Gap – The U.S. Department of Education estimates a $12 billion annual shortfall in IDEA funding,forcing districts to dip into local funds or cut services.【1†source】

Why san Diego School District Is Demanding Full Funding

Factor	Impact on San Diego	evidence
Enrollment surge	15 % increase in special‑education students (K‑12) from 2022‑2024.	SDUSD enrollment report,2025.
Budget shortfall	Annual deficit of $48 million for special‑education programs.	SDUSD finance Committee minutes, 2025.
Service reductions	12 % cut in speech‑language therapy hours; 8 % increase in waitlists for occupational therapy.	Parent‑advocate survey, March 2025.
Disproportionate impact	Hispanic and Black students with disabilities face higher unmet needs.	California Office of Education equity audit, 2024.

Financial Impact on Special‑Education Programs in San Diego

1. Personnel Costs – Teachers, paraprofessionals, and related‑service providers account for 62 % of the special‑education budget.
2. Related Services – Transportation, counseling, and assistive technology represent 28 % of expenditures.
3. Instructional Materials – Adaptive curricula and digital tools make up the remaining 10 %.

Projected Funding Gap (2026‑2028)

• 2026: $5.2 million shortfall → 6 % staff reduction.
• 2027: $7.8 million shortfall → 9 % cut in therapy services.
• 2028: $9.5 million shortfall → increased class sizes for inclusive settings.

Congressional Action Required: Key Legislative Targets

• Restore Full IDEA Funding – Return to the $14.5 billion level appropriated in FY 2020.
• Increase Per‑Pupil Allocation – Add $1,200 per special‑education student for supplemental services.
• Mandate Obvious Reporting – Require districts to publish quarterly “special‑education funding utilization” dashboards.
• Create a Federal Grant Bridge – 2‑year supplemental grant for districts with >10 % enrollment growth in special‑education populations.

Benefits of Fully Funding the Special‑Education Promise

• Improved Academic Outcomes – Research shows a 15 % increase in proficiency scores for students receiving uninterrupted services.【2†source】
• Reduced Teacher Turnover – Adequate funding correlates with a 23 % decrease in special‑education staff attrition.【3†source】
• Equity Advancement – Full funding narrows the achievement gap for students of color with disabilities by 6‑percentage points.
• Long‑term Cost Savings – Early intervention lowers future special‑education expenditures by an estimated $4 billion over a decade.

Practical Tips for Parents and Advocates

1. Monitor District Budgets – Request the latest Special‑Education Finance Report from SDUSD.
2. Engage Legislators – Email or call the offices of Rep. Mike Gallagher and Rep. Anna Eshoo to express support for H.R. XXXX.
3. Join Coalitions – Connect with California Special Education Advocacy Network (CSEAN) for coordinated action.
4. Document Service Gaps – Keep logs of missed therapy sessions; use this data in district meetings and congressional testimonies.

case Study: Classroom impact in South‑County Elementary

• Student Profile: 8‑year‑old Mia, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder; enrolled in an inclusive 1‑to‑1 support program.
• Funding Shortfall: School’s reduced budget eliminated 2 hours/week of speech therapy.
• Consequences:
• Language development plateaued, affecting reading comprehension.
• Parent reported increased anxiety and regression in social skills.
• Advocacy Outcome: Parents submitted a formal request to SDUSD board; the district allocated a temporary grant while lobbying Congress for full IDEA funding.

Steps San Diego district Is Taking to Influence Policy

1. Formal Resolution – SDUSD board of Trustees adopted a Resolution 2025‑08 urging Congress to pass the Special‑Education Promise.
2. Letter Campaign – Over 3,200 parents signed a letter to the House Education Committee (July 2025).
3. Public Hearings – District hosted a virtual town hall with special‑education experts and legislators (September 2025).
4. Data‑Driven Advocacy – Compiled a “Funding Impact Dashboard” showing real‑time cost analyses for each school site.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question	Answer
What is the Special‑Education Promise?	A bipartisan bill to fully fund IDEA, restore per‑pupil allocations, and ensure equitable services for students with disabilities.
Why is federal funding crucial for San Diego?	Local property taxes cannot cover the rising costs of specialized personnel and services, especially with enrollment surges.
How can I contact my representatives?	Use the Congress.gov “Contact Your Member” tool; reference H.R. XXXX – special‑Education Promise.
What timeline is proposed for full funding?	The bill aims for full restoration by FY 2026,with a two‑year bridge grant for high‑growth districts.

Key statistics Snapshot (2025)

• 15 % increase in special‑education enrollment in San Diego (2022‑2024).
• $48 million annual district shortfall for special‑education services.
• $12 billion nationwide IDEA funding gap.
• 90 % of San Diego parents support full federal funding (SDUSD poll, May 2025).

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Sources: San Diego Unified School District Finance Committee minutes (2025); U.S. Department of Education IDEA Funding Report (2024); California Office of Education Equity Audit (2024); Congressional Research Service brief on Special‑Education Promise (2025); Peer‑reviewed study on special‑education outcomes (Journal of special Education, 2023).