ASHA Urges Member and School District Participation in National Study of Special Education Spending

The U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) has begun the National Study of Special Education Spending (NSSES), an effort to produce the first comprehensive national picture of special education costs and funding sources in more than two decades. ASHA encourages audiologists, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and the school districts and programs they serve to take part if selected.

The study will address four questions:

1. How much is spent to educate students with disabilities? How does this compare to spending on their peers who do not receive special education?
2. To what extent do spending amounts reflect students’ needs versus where they live or go to school?
3. What does special education spending pay for, and what role does IDEA play?
4. To what extent is the federal contribution to special education funding meeting its target?

Data collection will take place during the 2026–2027 school year. IES has partnered with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), NORC at the University of Chicago (NORC), and others to conduct the study.

Why This Study Matters for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

The last national study of special education spending is nearly a quarter-century old. In that time, the number and complexity of disabilities served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) have grown, service delivery models have diversified, and the cost of related services have changed.

ASHA submitted comments to the Department of Education in March 2026 strongly supporting the study. Robust participation is key to ensure the most accurate data is collected as it relates to audiology, speech-language pathology and other factors that impact our professions and those we serve.

With accurate, representative data from states, districts, and schools, the NSSES can produce a detailed study that could support school-based audiologists and SLPs in advocacy and practice. For example, ASHA could use data from the study to educate lawmakers on how its members are impacted by special education funding cuts.

What Participation Involves

IES will ask selected districts and schools to contribute several types of information, including student rosters used for sampling, a School Student Resources Survey completed by staff most familiar with each sampled student (which may include related-service providers), a District Program Survey, and a District Financial Data and Fiscal Officer Survey. Individual responses are protected under federal confidentiality laws and will be used for statistical purposes only.

How ASHA Members Can Help

ASHA members are encouraged to:

1. Share this information with school district administrators, special education directors, and financial officers in their networks;
2. Encourage participation if their district, school, or program is contacted and selected for the study; and
3. Highlight the stakes for audiology and speech-language pathology specifically. Accurate national data is essential to demonstrating the true cost of these services and to informing future funding decisions.

To learn more about the NSSES or to find out how a state, district, or school can participate, visit the NSSES project page or contact the study team at nsses@air.org. Districts and schools may also reach NORC study staff at 888-872-0626, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Central Time, or by email at NORC-NSSES@norc.org.

Questions?

Contact reimbursement@asha.org.