A Call to Action for OCASA Members and Friends

At OCASA, we’re committed to tirelessly working with district leaders to support our students—especially our most vulnerable. We recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., where we collaborated with the Council of Great City Schools, meeting with lawmakers and their staff to advocate for our kids. Now, we’d like to invite your attention to an important issue: full funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Since 1975, IDEA has promised a free, appropriate public education for every child with a disability, ages 3 to 22—including the 24,000 students we’ve confirmed are in Orange County Public Schools today. The federal government pledged 40% of the extra costs—for IEPs, specialists, and more—but 50 years later, in 2025, we’re still receiving just 10–15%. Congress’s recent continuing resolution, signed on March 15, 2025, keeps education funding at 2024 levels—around 13%—through September 2025, and they’re already working on the 2026–2027 budget. While this holds steady for now, the Trump administration has the flexibility to shift funds within education, leaving OCPS and Florida to cover 85–90% of the costs for our 24,000 students with disabilities.

This isn’t about debating the Department of Education’s role. Programs like Title I for low-income schools and Title II for teacher training hold steady for many. But if budget adjustments come, OCASA believes prioritizing IDEA is essential. It supports our students with disabilities and eases the strain on OCPS’s general budget. With autism rising from 1 in 2,500 in 1975 to 1 in 36 by 2020, our needs far exceed the 13% we’re getting—funding that could change if redirected.

As the eighth largest district in the country, OCPS carries weight, and so do you—OCASA members and friends. We’re not here to pressure anyone. Instead, we want to educate our legislators about these needs and stand with them as they champion education. Your support can help us share this story with local leaders, state lawmakers, and Congress, building a partnership to secure the 40% funding our kids deserve—for all 24,000 with disabilities and the full 206,000 in OCPS.

If you’d like to join us in this effort, please don’t hesitate to reach out at [email protected]. We’d love to have you—and everyone you represent—by our side.