Report Special Education Finance in California By Laura Hill, Patrick Murphy, Paul Warren, Iwunze Ugo Nov 28, 2016 California's extensive special education system is costly and complex. By giving districts greater flexibility over special education funding, the state can strengthen transparency, accountability, and local control. This research was supported with funding from the Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation and the Stuart Foundation.
blog post Debate over How Special Education Is Funded By Laura Hill, Patrick Murphy, Paul Warren Apr 18, 2017 A series of meetings demonstrated the difficulty of improving special education in this large and diverse state.
blog post Budget Takes Baby Steps Toward Special Education Reform By Paul Warren Jul 11, 2019 The new California state budget provides substantial new funding for special education while also making changes to the underlying funding model.
Report Students with Disabilities and California’s Special Education Program By Stephen Lipscomb Jan 29, 2009 Students with disabilities are entitled by law to free, appropriate special education services, and in 2006–07, more than 10 percent of California’s total school enrollment used these services, at a cost of about $9.3 billion. This report provides basic information about California’s students with disabilities and its special education programs. It examines disability rates and trends, the educational environment, student performance on state assessments, and California’s financial commitment to special education, including detailed information about spending activity and the funding process.
blog post Testimony: Special Education Finance in California By Paul Warren Mar 28, 2019 Research associate Paul Warren discusses rising school district costs for special education as well as options for strengthening state funding in this area.
Report Special Education Finance in California: A Decade After Reform By Stephen Lipscomb Aug 12, 2009 Special education accounted for more than 16 percent—$9.3 billion—of K–12 spending in 2006–07. An extensive reform of special education financing in California about a decade ago sought to improve the way the state funds education for the disabled, who make up about 10 percent of public school students. Did reform achieve its goals? In large part, yes—but more can be done. The author suggests that to realize reform’s equity goals, policymakers could equalize base funding rates and make adjustments for local conditions such as numbers of low-income students and regional labor market wage levels. This report was funded with support from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
blog post Funding Special Education By Linda Strean Dec 6, 2016 A well-attended Sacramento event focused on the way the special education finance system works now in California and on PPIC’s recommendations to change it.
Report Resolving Special Education Disputes in California By Stephen Lipscomb Feb 24, 2009 This paper examines the formal process for dispute resolution between the parents of special education students—who make up about 10 percent of all California public school students—and the school districts that educate them. Requests for resolution are concentrated in fewer than a third of the state’s school districts; the rate tends to be higher in larger, densely populated districts, and in districts in higher-income areas. Overall, the state has one of the highest request rates in the country, but most disputes are settled before a formal hearing.
blog post Remote Learning for English Learners and Special Needs Students during COVID-19 By Niu Gao, Laura Hill Apr 10, 2020 As districts across California roll out distance learning plans, educators must develop alternate methods to effectively serve English Learners and students with special needs.
event Special Education Funding in California Nov 29, 2016 About the ProgramCalifornia's special education system is vast, expensive, and operates under a unique legal framework. Calls for reform are currently focused on improving how this system is organized and financed throughout the state. PPIC researcher Paul Warren will provide an overview of the current system and a panel of experts will discuss pathways toward reform. This research was supported with funding from the Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation and the Stuart Foundation.
