Special Education Funding Hit Hard by Sequestration

The impact of federal budget sequestration on education didn’t appear to be all that devastating in the months since the across-the-board cuts went into effect, but that might be changing now that more students are returning to class. The effects of less money are being especially felt by special education students who have had services either rolled back or completely eliminated, leaving them and their parents in the lurch.

According to Adrienne Lu of Pew’s Stateline blog, in total, services required under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act have had their funding cut by 5%, which meant that schools across the country are doing without non-critical things like resource rooms which provide supplementary assistance with homework, classwork and lifestyle skills.

Marcie Lipsitt, a special education advocate in Michigan, described the impact of the cuts to being hit by a ton of bricks. And Michigan is hardly alone.



States find themselves in a very difficult situation as they’re forced to decide between options to raise additional revenue to cover the shortfall at a time when money is tough to come by. Even if additional money could be found, it’s possible that states would be loath to use it. Due a funding formula quirk, raising the special education budget temporarily with plans to roll it back again should the federal spigot reopen could cost states in the long run.

