Congressional members have introduced House and Senate bills that they say would guarantee full funding appropriations for the Individuals with Disabilities Education by 2015.

Last week, Sens. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Pat Roberts (R-KA) introduced S. 1652, the IDEA Full Funding Act, that would amend Part B of IDEA, which includes the related service of school transportation, to fully fund 40 percent of the national average per pupil expenditure for every child in the United States enrolled in special education programs by 2015.

A companion bill in the House, the Everyone Deserves UnConditional Access to Education (EDUCATE) Act , sponsored by Reps. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Todd Platts (R-PA) and Tim Walz (D-MN), would also fulfill the federal promise to provide 40 percent of the national average per-pupil expenditure.

The American Association of School Administrators said in a statement today that a final law is needed to help states and local school districts overcome historic budget deficits. States have received some relief from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which has infused $12 billion into special education programs nationwide.

But federal funding for IDEA remains about $8 billion below the 40 percent level authorized by Congress, or about 17 percent.

“It is time for the federal government to step forward with the funds needed to meet its promise to families and schools around the country,” AASA said. “We need Congress to continue the investment they made under ARRA for students with disabilities across the country.”

Late last week, Harkin replaced the late Sen. Edward Kennedy as chair of the Senate Committee on Education.