IDEA Part B Grant Program
Forecasted
IDEA Part B Grant Program supports Illinois children with disabilities by funding special education, related services, and leadership activities to improve educational outcomes and services.
Funder: Illinois State Board of Education
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2027 (Independent charter excess cost worksheet) | March 2027 (IDEA Excess Cost application) | June 2027 (IDEA Part B application)
Funding Amounts: Flow-Through allocations use a base payment plus population/poverty funding; reimbursement grants generally run July–June, with an August extension option
Summary: Supports special education and related services that improve educational outcomes for Illinois children with disabilities.
Key Information: LEAs must verify maintenance of effort and document excess costs before using IDEA funds.
Description
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), through its Special Education Department, administers IDEA Part B funding for special education and related services. Flow-Through grants provide supplemental support for a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for children with disabilities ages 3–21. Preschool grants support comprehensive special education for ages 3–5, while Discretionary grants fund leadership activities to improve special education services in Illinois.
Funding can support personnel, training, specialized consultants, and instructional materials and equipment. Priorities include early identification, individualized education programs focused on results through the general curriculum, education alongside nondisabled peers, higher expectations and school accountability, and stronger parent-school partnerships. Annual excess cost documentation verifies that districts maintain the required state/local spending before federal IDEA funds pay additional special education costs.
