Nearly 12 percent of California’s K–12 students have disabilities, and $12 billion is spent annually in state, federal, and local funds on special education and related services.
WestEd conducted a two-part study offering recommendations for improving state special education funding policies and creating a more effective system. The studies below share evidence-based insights on how California could adapt its funding formula to support state priorities.
California Special Education Funding System Study, Part 1: A Descriptive Analysis of Special Education Funding in California
By Jason Willis, Sara Menlove Doutre, Kelsey Krausen, Tyson Barrett, Tye Ripma, and Ruthie Caparas
This study details the current special education funding system in California, its history, and the role of the state and intermediaries in the distribution and use of those resources.
California State Special Education Funding System Study, Part 2: Findings, Implications, and Considerations for Improving Special Education Funding in California
By Sara Menlove Doutre, Jason Willis, Tyson Barrett, Tye Ripma, Ruthie Caparas, and Kelsey Krausen
Leveraging proven research methods in school finance, this multistage, independent study discusses California’s system for special education funding and offers evidence-based considerations to inform state-level decision-making and improve equitable outcomes for students with disabilities.
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For more information about this study, email us at [email protected].