This is a Senate resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which was signed into law on November 29, 1975. The resolution honors how IDEA transformed education for children with disabilities by guaranteeing them the right to a free, appropriate public education in mainstream school settings rather than being excluded or segregated. Before IDEA became law, over one million children with disabilities were kept out of public schools entirely, with many placed in institutions or given inadequate education. The resolution recognizes that IDEA has helped millions of students by ensuring their families have a say in their education plans, providing early intervention services for young children, and giving schools the tools and funding they need to support students with disabilities. The Senate is using this resolution to reaffirm its commitment to making sure IDEA continues to work as intended—giving every child with a disability access to quality education and the chance to succeed.

A resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act on November 29, 2025, and recognizing its transformative impact on the education of children with learning disabilities.