State Special Education Fiscal Policy: The Quest for Equity

Abstract

Attempts to achieve equity in special education funding encounter significant problems and contingencies similar to those encountered in funding general education services. These factors include variations in population, in needs, in service delivery, in governance structure, in resources, and in system costs. With these six identified factors as a base, a field study was conducted in 1979 in New York State to solicit reactions from individuals who play a key role in policy process in regard to the relevance and exhaustiveness of suggested factors, the factors' relative importance, diversity among role groups as to perception of factors, and perceptions regarding New York State fiscal policies in addressing the factors. The most important concern voiced by policy influencers was over the actual amount of money available for financing special education.