Special Education
In December 2010, Chester Upland School District administration reported that 902 pupils or 19.9% of the district's pupils received special education services. Sixty percent of special education pupils were identified by the district, as having a specific learning disability.
In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding. The Pennsylvania's special education funding system assumes that 16% of the district's students receive special education services. It also assumes that each student's needs accrue the same level of costs. The state requires each district to have a three year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students. Overidentification of students in order to increase state funding has been an issue in Pennsylvania. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education.
The Chester Upland School District received $5,008,554 in supplemental funding, for special education services in 2010. For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.
Read more about this topic: Chester Upland School District
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