Advocacy
WORK WITH US
Join our coalition of School Boards from around the U.S.
Take Action
Congress made a promise to students with disabilities in 1975. It has never kept it. Here is how you can help change that.
What We Are Asking Congress to Do
The ask is clear, bipartisan, and long overdue:
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Enact a multi-year glide path to reach 40 percent federal IDEA funding by 2040. This is a realistic, fiscally responsible path that honors the original commitment
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Protect IDEA from across-the-board cuts because special education funding should not be a casualty of budget negotiations
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Reaffirm the federal commitment to students with disabilities and the public schools that serve them
This Is Not a Partisan Issue
Every congressional session, regardless of which party holds the majority, has fallen short of the 40 percent promise. Democrats and Republicans alike have presided over the gap. This campaign does not take sides; rather, it holds all of Congress accountable to a commitment made fifty years ago to students, families, and communities across the country.
How to Get Involved
School Boards
School board members are the most powerful voices in this campaign. You are elected by your community, accountable to your taxpayers, and living with the consequences of federal underfunding every single budget cycle. Congress needs to hear from you directly.
Here is what you can do:
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Pass the IDEA funding resolution — Adopt the sample board resolution and send it to your congressional delegation. (Download the template in the Toolkit)
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Meet with your member of Congress — Request a meeting and bring your district's specific funding gap data. Your numbers tell a story no lobbyist can tell.
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Share your district's local impact — How much does your district spend on special education above the federal contribution? Put that number in front of your community and your delegation.
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Respond to advocacy alerts — When the campaign sends an action alert, your response — a call, an email, a letter — adds to the national movement.
Superintendents
Superintendents bring the operational reality of IDEA underfunding to life. Your voice adds credibility, specificity, and urgency to the campaign message.
Here is what you can do:
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Record a short video — A one-minute video explaining what IDEA underfunding means in your district is one of the most shareable and persuasive tools in this campaign. (Download the video script in the Toolkit)
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Submit an op-ed to your local newspaper — Local media coverage builds community awareness and puts pressure on congressional delegations at home. (Download the op-ed template in the Toolkit)
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Lead a briefing with your congressional delegation — Bring your board chair, your special education director, and your numbers. Make it real.
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Share your district's impact data publicly — At board meetings, in your newsletter, on your website. The more this data is visible, the harder it is for Congress to look away.
Parents and Community Members
Parents and community members are the constituency Congress is most accountable to. Your story, and your child's story, is the reason this campaign exists.
Here is what you can do:
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Contact your member of Congress — Call, email, or write. Tell them what IDEA means to your family and ask them to support full funding.
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Share your story — Personal stories from families are among the most powerful advocacy tools available. Share yours on social media, in a letter to the editor, or with your school board.
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Participate in the Week of Action — Join your state's coordinated Week of Action and be part of a national moment. (See below)
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Follow and share on social media — Use the campaign hashtags and share content with your network. Every share expands the reach of this campaign.
DAY 1
Launch & Awareness
Share the campaign launch on social media. Your state association sends a coordinated press release.
DAY 2
District Storytelling
Superintendents share videos and district impact data. School boards post local numbers.
DAY 3
Media & Public Engagement
Op-eds publish in local papers. Radio and TV interviews. Statewide data released.
DAY 4
Social Media Storm
Coordinated posts, graphics, and stories across all platforms using campaign hashtags.
The Week of Action
The 40 by 40 campaign will be coordinating a national, statewide Week of Action: seven days of focused, coordinated advocacy designed to generate visibility, constituent contact, and congressional attention all at once.
DAY 5
Community Engagement
Parent briefings, PTA/PTO outreach, partner organization statements.
DAY 6
Congressional Contact
Calls, emails, and formal letters flood congressional offices. Advocacy packets delivered.
DAY 7
Reflection & Next Steps
Thank-yous to participants. Summary of reach and impact. Preview of what comes next