H.R. 588·Elementary Experienced
A Bill to Fully Fund IDEA for K-5 Students with Disabilities
Rep. Patel (D-NJ)
Raises federal IDEA funding to 40% of national average per-pupil cost, with phased compliance for states.
Sec. 1 — Mandate
Federal IDEA Part B contributions to K-5 services shall reach 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure by FY30.
Sec. 2 — Maintenance of Effort
States must maintain their own contribution levels at FY25 baseline.
Sec. 3 — Funding
$22 billion phased over 5 years.
Sec. 4 — Enforcement
OSEP withholds funds for non-maintenance of effort.
Tournament Prep
Mechanical parts, sourced & timed
Use this as your pre-round checklist. Memorize the source citation. Time yourself to the delivery target.
- Bill / Number
- H.R. 588 — A Bill to Fully Fund IDEA for K-5 Students with Disabilities
- Funding source
- $22B over 5 years from general fund.
- Timeline
- Reach 40% federal share by FY30.
- Realistic — Congress promised 40% in 1975 and has never delivered above ~13%.
- Enforcing agency
- Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
- Yes — OSEP already conditions IDEA funds.
- Penalty for non-compliance
- Withholding of IDEA funds for states cutting their own contributions.
- Source citation
- CRS R44624 (2024), 'IDEA Funding' — crsreports.congress.gov.
- Delivery time (read aloud)
- 1:05 (65s)
Strongest counter-argument
$22B over 5 years sets the wrong precedent for unfunded promises.
Your pre-emptive answer
This *closes* an unfunded promise. Congress committed to 40% in P.L. 94-142 (1975) and has chronically underfunded it. Fulfilling existing law isn't a precedent — it's a correction.