Special Education Cost Review
In the fourteen years since Arizona last commissioned a special education cost study, policymakers and stakeholders have had to get by on outdated information as they make critical decisions about special education funding and programming.
The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) is utilizing federal recovery dollars from Elementary and Secondary School Emergency School Relief (ESSER) set aside funds to commission a new special education cost study with Heinfeld, Meech & Company. ADE hopes the results will provide a comprehensive picture of the funding needs for all children with disabilities who receive special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) in Arizona's public education system. This cost study will encompass a sample of school data from public charter and district schools in all 15 counties.
The Arizona Special Education Program and Cost Review will provide a comprehensive picture of the funding needs for all children with disabilities who receive special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in the Arizona public education system.
It will also provide ADE, policymakers, and other stakeholders with the necessary data to inform policy changes in special education funding.
Local education agencies (LEAs) include Arizona's public charter and district schools. The following demographic criteria informed the selection of LEAs for this review:
- Intended to represent a minimum of 20% of the public school special education population
- Representation from all 15 AZ counties
- Traditional public school districts and charter schools
- Single site charters and LEAs, and charter networks, and larger LEAs
- Representative of urban and rural LEAs
- Representative of Impact Aid students
- Representative of K-8 and K-12 LEAs
- Considerations of LEAs with new Finance and/or SPED leadership staff
The following LEAs committed to participating in the review. Please note this is not the finalized list.
- Amphitheater Public Schools
- Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind
- Casa Grande Elementary School District
- Chandler Unified School District
- Chinle Unified School District
- Cottonwood Oak-Creek Unified School District
- Crane Elementary School District
- Duncan Unified School District
- Flagstaff Unified School District
- Great Hearts Academies
- Horizon Honors Schools
- Mesa Public Schools
- Miami Unified School District
- Phoenix Union High School District
- Pima Unified School District
- Prescott Unified School District
- St. Johns Unified School District
- Washington Elementary School District
- Whiteriver Unified School District
- Vail School District
Phase 1: Winter 2021
By studying student demographics and evaluating teacher and related service provider vacancies, Task 1 will identify how student population, identification, and reported IDEA eligibility have changed since 2010. Additionally, Task 1 will examine the impact of the special education teacher and related service provider shortage on special education.
By comparing actual route costs to the per mileage funding model, Task 2 will determine the actual cost of special education transportation and how special education transportation needs have changed between 2010 and 2019.
Using a sample of local LEA data, Task 3 will identify the cost for out-of-state and private placement options compared to the state funding formula.
By aggregating statewide data for ESAs, Task 4 will determine statewide ESA cost as one component of the overall special education costs for Arizona's public education system.
Phase 2: Spring/Summer 2022
By examining the actual costs of special education instruction and IEP identified services, including teacher and related service provider pay and expenses associated with serving students with disabilities, Task 5 will determine the actual costs for providing public education to special education students compared to the current funding model by disability.
Phase 3: Summer/Fall 2022
By calculating the total cost for delivering identified program models based on staffing and components for each program, Task 6 will identify the cost and benefits for various program models on a continuum of services.
