About 25% Of Oregon’s Special Education Costs Unfunded

About a quarter of special education costs in Oregon are unfunded because the state funding formula assumes that an average of no more than 11% of students will have special education needs. Of the state’s 197 school districts, only 29 have fewer than 11% of students with special education needs. These districts have adequate funding for their special education programs. More than 160 districts have more than 11% of students with special education needs.

The 11% cap on special education spending was enacted in the 1990s. At that time, about 11% of all students needed special education services; however . . .