Wisconsin's Special Education Funding Falls Short Again

Wisconsin's public schools are facing a funding crunch for special education. The state is only covering 35% of the costs, way less than the 42% promised in the budget. This drop happened because schools spent more on special education than the state expected. Advocates are worried. They say this funding gap will force schools to make tough choices. They might have to take money from other programs to cover the shortfall. This isn't fair to students with disabilities, who need these services to succeed. The state has a fixed amount of money for special education reimbursement. When schools spent more than expected, the state had to lower the reimbursement rate. This leaves schools scrambling to find other funds. Over the years, special education costs have risen faster than funding. Between 2000 and 2024, funding increased by 82%, but costs went up by 103%. This gap shows that the state's funding isn't keeping up with the actual needs of students. School districts are now trying to figure out how this will affect them. Some might have to rely on property tax referendums to make up the difference. This puts an extra burden on communities and creates uncertainty for students. Advocates are calling on lawmakers to fix this issue. They want the state to fulfill its promises and provide adequate funding for special education. Without this support, students with disabilities will continue to be shortchanged.