Special Education Ruling Raises Concern

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling on nursing services for disabled students is a mixed blessing, according to WEAC’s legal director. The court ruled that districts must provide one-on-one nursing services for certain disabled students, regardless of cost.

“The ruling is an affirmation of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,” said Bruce Meredith. “We support ensuring that disabled students receive equal educational opportunities.”

Meredith said WEAC is concerned that the federal government does not provide the funding to fulfill its mandates. Meredith said state-imposed revenue controls intensify problems for Wisconsin school districts.

“Because revenue controls do not take into account any increased educational demands, then any added requirements in special education will invariably force districts to reduce regular education programming,” Meredith said.

“We are beginning to see increased tension between regular and special education as they compete for scarce federal and state dollars.”

Congress now funds 10% of special education mandates, and state support has dramatically fallen.

Posted March 5, 1999