Special Education Helping to Fund RTI
Posted by Beth DuBose on Sep 11, 2008
The line between general and special education is starting to dissolve as special education funds are being allocated to Response To Intervention initiatives.
An article in Education Week discusses how special education funds are being allocated to RTI initiatives. We have started to see a shift already from a distinc separation of general and special education to a more collaborative effort between the groups. Our latest RTI national survey showed that 56% of districts surveyed indicated that they are working in a collaborative effort on RTI. At a conference last month, state special ed directors and federal officials met to learn more about using special education funds to pay for Response to Intervention services. Many ideas were shared among the group on how to work in collaborative efforts within their districts. Even with the increased enthusiasm of educataors to work together, some are worried that the rules on special educatino funding for RTI are too complex and will cause increased paperwork. When the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was reauthorized in 2004, the law allowed states to take up to 15 percent of the money they receive from the federal government for special education and use it for what was deemed “coordinated, comprehensive early-intervening services.” Early-intervening services are for children of all ages, but tend to primarily focus on K-3. If a district uses the 15% to put toward early-intervening services, they must make up the difference in the special education budget thorugh another source, such as a grant. Some states are required to use the 15% if they show a disproportionality of students in special education. If a state shows disproportionality of a certain racil or ethnic group, the funds must be spent "particularly, but not exclusively" on that racial or ethnic group. This is a very basic overview of some of the rules surrounding early-intervening services and special education funding, and even these few rules are confusing. I can understand why so many districts are frustrated to the point that they are not considering using the 15% funds. I feel better guidelines need to be created for districts to properly use this funding to benefit the greatest number of students possible. It would be interesting to hear any stories of how your districts are coping with the decision on using 15% of your special education dollars to fund RTI. Or any suggestions on how your general and special education teams could collaborate.
To read the full article, click here.
To read the full RTI survey and it’s results, click here.