Why Fully Funding Special Education is Essential for Our Children's Future

We need to talk about something crucial: the importance of fully funding special education. Recent data reveals a concerning trend—nearly one in five public schools reported they weren't fully staffed in special education classrooms in 2023. Meanwhile, the number of students needing special education services is higher than ever, with over 7.5 million students registered during the 2022-2023 school year. That’s about 15% of students in K-12 schools.

The Growing Demand for Special Education

As the number of children requiring special education services increases, schools struggle to keep up. The pandemic exacerbated existing challenges, highlighting the urgent need for more resources. Diagnostic tools have become more sophisticated, allowing for earlier and more accurate identification of learning disabilities. Yet, many districts lack the personnel to handle these increasing caseloads.

The Impact of Underfunding

The situation worsened as pandemic-era relief funding expired across 2024 and 2025. This is alarming, especially considering that about 86% of K-12 public schools reported trouble hiring teachers across all fields in 2023. States like Georgia have started offering incentives, such as raises and retention bonuses, to attract and retain teachers, but these measures might not be enough.

The federal government, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), committed to paying 40% of the average per-pupil expenditure for special education. However, this pledge has never been met. It has never come close. According to the Congressional Research Service, IDEA Part B appropriations covered roughly 10.2% of the national average per-pupil expenditure in FY2025, just over a quarter of the full funding level Congress authorized fifty years ago.

The Legal and Moral Imperative

Schools are legally required to provide a “free, appropriate public education” (FAPE) to students with disabilities, as mandated by federal law. This includes adhering to every detail of a student’s individualized education plan (IEP), which often requires hiring additional staff, creating specialized classroom settings, or sending students to external providers.

Despite these legal requirements, many schools are ill-equipped to meet the needs of their students due to chronic underfunding. This often results in a frustrating and emotionally taxing experience for families. Essentially, underfunding special education pushes the burden to caregivers, who need to spend their time and resources accessing

support that schools should provide.

The Real Cost of Inaction

Failing to fully fund special education affects students' immediate educational outcomes and has long-term societal impacts. Students with disabilities who do not receive adequate support are less likely to graduate and more likely to face unemployment or underemployment. This limits their potential and increases societal costs related to unemployment benefits, healthcare, and social services.

The Path Forward

We must advocate for increased funding and resources for special education to address these challenges. Schools need more than just financial support—they need comprehensive plans to attract and retain qualified special education professionals, invest in early intervention programs, and provide ongoing training and support for teachers.

Our children’s futures depend on it. With adequate funding and resources, we can ensure that every child, regardless of their abilities, has access to the education and support they need to thrive. It's time for us to raise our voices and demand the funding that our children deserve. Let's lead these children towards a brighter future together.