Special
education costs rising much faster than state aid, audit finds
Special education costs in Wisconsin rose 36.9% from 1992-93 to 1997-98,
while state aid increased just 6.3% during that period, according to
a new state audit.
With revenue controls in place and special education programs required,
school districts have been forced to cut regular education programs
and services to make up the difference, the audit concludes. The result
has been increasing tension and competition for funding within districts
between regular education and special education.
According to the Legislative Audit Bureau report:
- In the 1997-98 school year, 113,211 students -- or 12.8% of the
total public school population -- were identified as children with
disabilities.
- From 1992-93 through 1997-98, special education enrollments increased
by 19.1%, compared to 6.3% for all public school students
- Nearly one-half of that growth was in the single category of learning
disabilities.
- Although state statutes require the state to fund 63% of special
education costs, state categorical aids have frozen at $275.5 million
annually since 1994-95, reducing the level of state special education
funding to about 31%. That shortfall cost districts $219.7 million
in 1997-98.
- Likewise, federal aid fell $282.8 million short of its authorized
40% funding level in 1997-98 in Wisconsin.
- There is no consensus within the education community about the cause
of growth in special education enrollments. Improved identification
methods are likely to account for some growth, but some education
officials also believe school districts may be over-identifying students
for special education services.
- More than 70% of the school district administrators surveyed were
dissatisfied with the state's current method of funding special education,
and 68% believe it should be changed. However, there was no consensus
among those responding to the survey about the best method of funding
special education.
Posted May 4, 1999
