This policy brief explores issues associated with the question of whether federal funds to implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) should be allocated on the basis of the number of children with disabilities or a percentage of each state's resident population of children. The report examines proposed changes in the federal…

This policy analysis examines how states are implementing the substantially changed requirements relating to the distribution of federal IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Part B funds (Sections 611 and 619) as set forth in regulations issued in 1999. Interviews were conducted with nine state education agencies (SEAs) on the effect…

This paper partially fulfills the charge set out by New Business Item (NBI) 18, passed at the 2004 NEA Representative Assembly requiring that NEA conduct an analysis of "weighted student formula" (also known as "student-based budgeting") and how it impacts educational programs in large urban districts. The funding system known as "weighted student…

This policy brief reviews relationships between state special education funding formulas and placements in which children with disabilities are served, specifically compliance with mandates for a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) and placement in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Data analyzed were for the school year 1992-93.…

This policy brief discusses how certain types of state funding provisions create fiscal incentives for more restrictive placements for students with disabilities. This most likely occurs when funding systems are tied to the location in which the services are provided and a more restrictive placement will generate more state aid in relation to…

This literature review on special education finance is based on computerized bibliographic searches, nominations from leading special educators, and citation searches. It is organized into four sections covering the following topics: (1) costs, (2) funding sources, (3) funding formulas for special education programs and services, and (4) fiscal…

This monograph offers an overview of historical trends in the funding of special education programs, examines current issues, and considers directions for the future. After an introductory section, a section on historical perspectives notes trends in federal and state funding since 1975. A table shows the current funding formulas used by each…