K-12 and Special Education Funding

October 14, 2021

Our friends at Education Commission of the States have released a great resource, that compares how all 50 states approach various aspects of K-12 and special education funding. The resource includes information on states’ primary funding models, base per-student funding amounts, student attendance count methods, and funding for special education, English language learners, students from low-income backgrounds, gifted and talented, and small schools.

Among the key takeaways, Education Commission for the States found that some, but not all, states allocate additional funding for specific student populations:

• Special Education: 49 states and the District of Columbia
• English Language Learners: 47 states and the District of Columbia
• Students from Low-Income Backgrounds: 43 states and the District of Columbia
• Gifted and Talented: 34 states
• Small Size or Isolated Funding: 33 states

View a specific state’s approach by going to the state profiles page.