Comment on Tracking Special Ed Funds Across America
Published Date: 1/28/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Education wants your thoughts on a new survey about how special education money is spent across the country. This study affects schools and education groups who help kids with special needs and aims to make sure funds are used wisely. You’ve got until March 30, 2026, to share your comments—so don’t miss out on shaping this important project!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New Survey Reporting Burden
The Department of Education is proposing a new information collection (OMB Control Number 1850-NEW) called the National Study of Special Education Spending. Respondents are State, Local, and Tribal Governments with a total estimated 5,051 annual responses and 11,501 annual burden hours; comments are due by March 30, 2026.
Detailed Special Education Spending Data
The study (National Special Education Spending Study) will produce estimates of what is spent on students with disabilities overall and by disability category and will show the extent to which IDEA federal appropriations cover special education spending. The results are intended to give policymakers and special education administrators an up-to-date understanding of spending patterns.
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