Ohio bill would increase SPED funding $360M; “as more students need specialized services"
A pair of Ohio Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill that would increase special education funding.
Ohio state Reps. Andrea White, R-Kettering, and Cindy Abrams, R-Harrison, recently introduced Ohio House Bill 1012 which would create a $360 million special education threshold cost reimbursement in the General Revenue Fund.
“As more students need specialized services and the cost of providing these services continues to grow at an exponential pace at the school district level, we need more financial support from the state so that no matter where a student lives, they can have access to meaningful learning and supports to help them achieve their goals,” White said in a statement.
The number of students with disabilities in Ohio has increased in the last five years, according to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
17.7% students with disabilities — 2025-26 school year.
17.3% students with disabilities — 2024-25 school year
17.1% students with disabilities — 2023-24 school year
16.7% students with disabilities — 2022-23 school year
16.2% students with disabilities — 2021-22 school year . . .
Marks said there’s al
so been a big increase in the students who need a higher rate of funding.
“The school already receives a fixed standard amount of state funding per special education student, and it’s based on that child’s specific disability category, but the disability category doesn’t always cover everything,” she said.
School districts have to sometimes have to pull money out of the general fund, Marks said.
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