Quick Facts
| Funder | US Department of Education (via Minnesota Dept of Education) |
|---|---|
| Award Amount | Formula allocation based on special education student count |
| Eligible Grades | K-12 (students with IEPs) |
| Focus Areas | Special education, assistive technology, STEM access, adapted curriculum |
| Application Due | Annual formula allocation |
| More Info | https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/grants/ |
About This Grant
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides annual formula grants to Minnesota school districts to fund special education programs and services for students with disabilities. IDEA Part B funds the primary formula grant for K-12 students ages 3-21 with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
IDEA funds can cover a wide range of services, equipment, and curriculum -- including assistive technology, adapted STEM and CS curriculum, and tools that help students with disabilities access grade-level content. When STEM or CS tools are written into a student's IEP as necessary for their education, IDEA is the appropriate funding source.
IDEA is not a competitive grant. Minnesota districts receive annual formula allocations based on special education enrollment. Special education directors and IEP teams determine how IDEA funds are allocated at the student level.
How Forward Education Kits Fit
Forward Education designs products for inclusive classrooms. Our kits work with assistive technology and can be adapted for students with a range of learning needs. When CS or STEM tools are part of an IEP, IDEA funds can cover Forward Education curriculum and equipment. We provide documentation to support IDEA purchasing justification.
How Forward Education Helps
Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents mapped to Minnesota K-12 standards, official pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for your application. Contact us before you submit so we can help you build a strong case.
