K-12 Dive

A long-anticipated national study of special education spending by the U.S. Department of Education is taking its first step by asking for clearance from the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to begin its work, according to a notice planned for publication in the Federal Register on Monday. The $5.6 million National Study of Special Education Spending, first announced three years ago by the Education Department under the Biden administration, seeks to give policymakers and special education administrators an updated picture of what influences special education spending under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Research questions will include:

• How much is spent to educate students with disabilities? How does that compare to spending on their peers without disabilities?
• To what extent do spending amounts reflect students’ needs compared to where they live or go to school?
• What does special education spending pay for, and what role does IDEA play?
• To what extent is the federal contribution to special education funding meeting its target?

The first report from the study is not expected until 2028