The Keep Our PACT Act (S. 343) is federal legislation designed to guarantee full, mandatory funding over ten years for two vital education programs: Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which supports students from low-income families, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which ensures resources for students with disabilities.
Chronic underfunding has historically limited the reach and effectiveness of these programs. This bill proposes a sustainable funding plan to close these gaps, promoting educational equity and inclusion across the nation.
Title I and IDEA serve as critical lifelines for millions of students. Title I targets the economic disparities in education by directing resources to schools serving low-income communities. IDEA safeguards the rights of students with disabilities, guaranteeing a free and appropriate public education tailored to their unique needs.
Full funding of these programs is essential to address persistent inequities. Without it, schools struggle to provide adequate services, and vulnerable students risk falling further behind.
The bill mandates a binding, ten-year funding schedule to meet the full authorized appropriations for Title I and IDEA. By securing predictable and sufficient federal support, it empowers states and school districts to plan strategically and expand services.
This funding would enable the hiring of qualified educators, acquisition of necessary instructional materials, and implementation of programs critical to student success.
Students with disabilities and those from low-income families stand to benefit most. School districts and educators would receive the resources necessary to enhance educational services and supports. Families of affected students would experience improved access to quality education and support systems.
Ultimately, the legislation fosters a more equitable educational landscape by directing resources where they are most needed.
S. 343 has been introduced and is currently under review by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). It has yet to advance to the Senate floor for a vote.
Despite its clear importance, the bill faces challenges related to federal budget constraints and concerns over mandatory spending. Questions about the balance between federal funding and state/local control remain points of debate.
Effective oversight and accountability mechanisms will be crucial to ensure that increased funding leads to meaningful improvements in educational outcomes.
Advocates can play a vital role by engaging in outreach to legislators, educating communities about the importance of fully funding Title I and IDEA, and partnering with disability and education advocacy organizations.
Testimonies, media campaigns, and coalition-building efforts are powerful tools to garner bipartisan support and advance the bill.
As a self-advocate, I view the Keep Our PACT Act as a pivotal step toward educational equity. Providing consistent, adequate funding to support students with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds is essential, not only for their academic success but also for affirming their civil rights.
While the bill’s delay highlights ongoing systemic challenges, it also underscores the critical need for sustained advocacy and collective action.
Thank you for taking the time to engage with this important issue. Your support and awareness make a meaningful difference.
Warm regards,
Ian Allan
Self-Advocate for The Arc of Northern Virginia
Ian Allan is a self-advocate with a deep commitment to policy literacy, systems change, and disability justice. Through The Arc of Northern Virginia, he works to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not merely served by systems, but are actively shaping them.
The status of Keep Our PACT Act (S. 343) may change without much public notice. Visit Congress.gov to monitor its progress and learn when your voice is needed most.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Arc of Northern Virginia relies on private support from individuals, corporations, organizations, and foundations to fund our efforts. Your generous donations help make it possible for us to provide programs, services, and advocacy so that people with IDD can live “A Life Like Yours.”
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