MTI LEGISLATIVE ALERT Special Education

Special education programs and services are mandated by both the state and federal governments. Unfortunately, resources to provide these mandated programs and services have not been accommodated by the legislated revenue controls. Congress authorized reimbursing at 40% of expenses, but for the 2000-01 school year have only provided money to enable reimbursement of 15%. The state, likewise, has not kept its part of the partnership. The state reimbursement has dropped from 45% in 1993 to only 36% currently.

Governor's Budget Proposal: Insufficient Funds for Special Education The ability of Wisconsin schools to continue to provide excellent classroom instruction is being seriously challenged because of the state's failure to live up to providing its commitment to fully fund special education. Schools are being forced to choose between special education or regular education. The Governor's budget: Provides no additional funds for special education categorical aids. Prohibits IEP teams from recommending placement of special education children. Under the bill, the LEA is responsible for determining the child's placement. Uses a "census based" approach for distribution of special education funds. Under the census-based formula, special education aid will be distributed as a fixed rate per pupil payment to each district based on a combination of the district's total and low-income pupils (without regard to disability).   Since 1994-95, the number of MMSD students identified as having exceptional education needs has increased by 40%. During that same period of time, the amount of money paid by state for special education increased by only 12%. Since 1995-96 the number of autistic students in the MMSD has increased from 6 to 204.

Effect on Madison: Less Money for Needy Students Special education costs for Madison have increased $10.1 million since the inception of revenue limits yet state aid has increased only $1.1 million. If the state reimbursed school districts for special education costs at the same rate as when revenue limits began in 1993, MMSD would have received an additional $5.3 million in 2000-01. The Governor's freeze in special education categorical aides will further reduce Madison's reimbursement rate to only 33%. This means either that special education costs will consume an even greater share of the district's revenue by carving the funding out of the regular education program, or EEN students will receive reduced services. The "census based" proposal fails to acknowledge the funding needs related to a student's disability. Rather, funds would be driven solely by the total number of students and the percentage of the total who are "low income" students, regardless of disability. This funding proposal would adversely affect districts like Madison with a growing number of EEN students. What can you do? Contact the Governor, Joint Finance Committee members and Legislators (see reverse) requesting that the state increase its funding for special education, especially low-incidence, high cost students.

MTI 05/07/01