The law and moral obligation is clear: students with disabilities have a fundamental right to equal opportunities in education. Although sometimes it may look a little “different,” these children have the same desire and passion for education as other students. But sometimes, they need more help.

It is widely known in the United States that if you have a special needs child, public schools have traditionally had some of the best services and programs available. However, the significant teacher and staff shortage that is being experienced across the country is having a larger impact on our special needs students than the general population. We have a huge shortage of special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and other support staff. This shortage is impeding districts from providing the agreed-upon services, being proactive in identifying needs and gaps in the learning, and delivering the education that these children deserve. To be clear: this is not a DVUSD or Arizona only problem, and it is not caused by the districts – this is a national problem that stems from both stigmas in the needs of special education and the lack of adequate funding for the programs these students depend on. Need proof? It’s been more than a decade since the last cost study in our state.

The Arizona Department of Education hasn’t studied special education costs since 2007, more than a decade ago, before the start of the Great Recession.

Since then, Arizona’s student population has changed, both in terms of the number of students with special needs and in the kind of services to best assist them.

Altavena, Lily. Arizona students with autism, other special needs aren’t getting enough school funding (The Republic, AZ Central). 2019.