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Special Education Funding in Local School Districts
Q: How does special education funding work? I’ve heard of districts running out of funding. Can that happen to my child with special needs?
A: No. There are legal provisions that ensure your child has the aids or services he/she needs to be successful in his/her classroom.
It is not unusual, however, to hear school district officials say that special education is costing big bucks and draining other programs. The reality is that special education dollars actually support other programs in addition to special education.
How does this work?
Money for education funding comes from the State Government and the Federal Government and then goes to local school districts.
Washington State sends the local school district an average of $3,838 per student. This is based on a head count of every student in the district, with or without a disability, and is called the Basic Education Allocation (BEA).
Children who are bilingual or who use English as a second language (ESL) get an additional $710 per student, which with the BEA of $3,838, totals $4,548.
Children who participate in a Learning Assistance Program (LAP), for extra educational help, get an additional $416 per student. With the BEA that comes to $4254 per each child in the LAP program.
Each child who receives Special Education Services, gets almost double the Basic Ed Student amount, with an additional $3572. With the BEA fund, that makes a total of $7410 per student receiving Special Education Services.
These amounts are based on averages, and do not follow the individual student. These are all state dollars.
Because education programs like LAP and ESL are under-funded, some believe districts feel forced to rely on Special Education funds to help bolster other programs. Because special education services are generally more expensive, it becomes harder and harder for districts to fund both special education and other significant education needs. It appears that special education costs drain resources, when really students who receive special education bring in twice as much money as students in basic education. Groups like the Washington State Special Education Coalition (WSSEC) feel that we need to support an increase in basic education dollars. This would help all children, including students with disabilities who receive special education services.
Q: Where do the Federal funds come in?
A: Through a special education law called IDEA. The Federal government also provides about $680 dollars per special education student. IDEA was never intended to fully fund local districts programs; however, when IDEA was established, the intent of the Federal government was to match up to 40% of funds for students in special education. It is currently funding only 8-10%. That’s why it is so important to let your Senators and Representatives in Congress know, on an ongoing basis, that it is imperative to fully fund IDEA.
Q: Is there someplace else districts can go for special education funds?
A: Yes. There is also something called "Safety-Net Funding" available to districts who have a greater percentage of children with special needs, or children with special needs who have higher-cost programs. Some districts are reluctant to apply for safety-net funding, because there is an increased chance of being audited. Districts should be encouraged by parents, teachers and organizations like the PTA and other parent and disability advocacy groups, to utilize safety-net funding. In the lawsuit Washington State Special Education Coalition (WSSEC) v. State of Washington, Judge Doran assured school districts those funds would be available when needed.
Q: How do I ensure funding for my child in special education?
A: By law, the school district must provide the supplementary aids and services your child needs to be successful in the classroom determined to be the least restrictive environment. When discussing your child’s education with school district personnel, your first and greatest support or insurance is your child's Individual Education Plan (IEP).
There are other things you can do, however, to provide indirect funding support for your school and your district.
- Join the PTA and discuss special education funding openly. Reassure
parents that special education is not depleting school funds, and work
together to encourage districts to utilize safety-net funding when possible.
- Volunteer your time. This is not as time-consuming or demanding as it may
seem. You could spend 1-2 hours a month copying or laminating for your child’s
school. Volunteering in-class is a great way to demonstrate your support. If
you can’t spend time volunteering in your child’s classroom, volunteer in
another classroom on occasion.
- Be on the lookout for resources for your school. It may just be
downloading information from the internet, finding used boxes or paper,
bringing in extra pencils, or watching for donations from organizations. Look
for simple ways you can save your school money.
- Volunteer to come and talk to other students about disabilities. Encourage assemblies and in-class stories, etc. which promote community and inclusion, and help others understand disabilities.
Q: I don’t have a lot of time to spend volunteering or joining the PTA. What else can I do?
A: There are lots of other ways to show your support and appreciation to the people who work with your children. You could buy a children’s book and donate it to the library in honor of your child’s teacher. Maybe you could bring in motivating speakers with disabilities. You could provide a pack of pencils to the teacher every so often.
The teachers' union, WEA, has lots of help and workshops available, but often teachers are so busy they are unaware of this. Their website is www.wea.nea.org. There is lots of information there for teachers and parents. You can share this with your child's teachers. If you are going to a special education training that you know offers continuing education credit, invite your child’s teacher and multi-disciplinary team.
Q: I’m not sure my child’s teacher would appreciate it if I invited her to a training. She might think I’m implying she doesn’t know her job.
A: To best support your child, you must learn how to best support your child’s teacher. If this would make your child's teacher uncomfortable, perhaps posting the training flyer in the teacher’s lounge when no one is looking would help.
Encourage open and honest communication with your child’s teacher at all times. Sometimes teachers aren’t at liberty to discuss school funding, or don't have behind-the-scenes information of what is happening in the district. Sidetrack funding questions by continually asking your child’s teacher, "What is it that you need? What do you think my child needs? What can I do to help?"
It may seem like a lot of extra time and energy, but building successful relationships with those who educate your child can make those special education struggles, funding issues and IEP woes down the road go much more smoothly. Research has shown again and again that supportive and involved parents are key to a child's success in school. Educators know this and should support your efforts.
Other Resources
Learn more about your child's right to a free, appropriate education. Try these links.
 | IDEA Practices – Questions and Answers about IDEA |
| Special Education Rights and Responsibilities -- Information on the least restrictive environment |
| Wrightslaw – Special Education law site |
| Inclusive Schools (New Horizons) |
| Parents are Vital in Education (PAVE) |
| Washington State Special Ed Coalition |
| Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction |
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