Special Education
Every student deserves the support they need to succeed. Fully funding special education is a moral and legal imperative.
The Federal Funding Gap
When Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), it promised to fund 40% of the additional costs of educating students with disabilities. Yet federal funding has never exceeded 18%, leaving states and local districts to fill the gap—often by taking resources from other programs.
Over 7 million students in the U.S. receive special education services, including students with:
- •Learning disabilities such as dyslexia and dyscalculia
- •Autism spectrum disorders
- •Speech and language impairments
- •Emotional and behavioral disabilities
- •Physical disabilities and health impairments
- •Intellectual disabilities
The Staffing Crisis
Special education faces a severe staffing shortage. Special education teachers have among the highest burnout rates in the profession due to excessive paperwork, large caseloads, and inadequate support. Many positions go unfilled, leaving students without the specialized instruction they need.
Many special education teachers manage caseloads far exceeding recommended limits, making it impossible to provide individualized attention.
Excessive documentation requirements take time away from actual instruction and support for students.
Inclusion Done Right
Working Educators supports meaningful inclusion that provides students with disabilities access to general education alongside appropriate support services. True inclusion requires adequate staffing, training, and resources—not just placing students in general education classrooms without support.
Full IDEA funding: Congress must fulfill its promise to fund 40% of special education costs.
Manageable caseloads: Special education teachers need reasonable caseloads to serve students effectively.
Reduce paperwork: Streamline documentation to focus on student outcomes, not compliance.
Support paraprofessionals: Provide living wages and training for education support professionals.