It’s Fact Check Friday! The Special Education funding shortfall is a serious problem our legislature has been unwilling to address. About $1,000 of every student’s Base State Aid is now going to fill that shortfall. What would your district do with an additional $1,000 per student?
From Kansas Association of School Boards
“FACT CHECK FRIDAY
Special Education Funding Is at Its Lowest Level in State History. Kansas once funded 100% of excess special education costs. For FY 2026, the state is funding 65.3%, leaving local school districts responsible for more than $440 million in annual backfill spending. That equates to nearly $1,000 less per student in general classroom funds available to support Kansas students.
Why does this matter? As the state covers a smaller share of special education costs, local districts must redirect more of their existing resources to meet that obligation. Those are dollars that could otherwise support classroom operations and students.
Since at least 2009, Kansas has not met the full cost of excess special education expenses.