More kids than ever are qualifying for special education across the U.S., according to a Wall Street Journal report. A record 7.5 million students accessed special education services in U.S. schools during the 2022-2023 school year.
The total accounts for more than 15% of the public-school student population. A decade ago, less than 13% of students qualified for special education.
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Under federal law, children in public schools qualify for special education if they are identified as having certain disabilities that hinder their educational performance, including autism, speech impairments and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The Journal reported several factors that are driving the increase.
Pandemic disruptions left kids with lingering learning and behavioral challenges. Parents have become more assertive about asking for services, as the stigma around special education has lessened. Also, autism diagnoses have risen in recent decades.
However, even as more students qualify for services, school districts nationwide are still struggling to find enough teachers — not just for special education, but across the board.
