K-12 Dive

What should states prioritize when designing special education funding systems? One special education expert says building systems that provide school districts with the resources for high-quality, evidence-based services that respond to students’ individual needs — rather than focusing solely on funding formula elements — is the way to go. While a state’s special education funding formula is important, “it’s the means, it’s not the ends, for getting resources to districts,” said Tammy Kolbe, managing researcher at American Institutes for Research, during an Aug. 19 webinar hosted by the Education Commission of the States. Before states consider what funding mechanisms are best, they should start their conversations by conveying an understanding about what the funding will support, she said. “At its core, the purpose of [a] state special education funding system is to ensure that districts have the resources they need to provide special education services that students with disabilities actually need,” Kolbe said…