Special Education--Grants to States

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Program at a Glance
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Source: Guide to U.S. Department of Education Programs

Program Office: Office of Special Education Programs(OSEP)

CFDA Number: 84.027
Program Type: Formula Grants
Also Known As: Grants to States for Education of Children With Disabilities, Part B, Sec. 611


PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The program provides formula grants to states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the secretary of the interior, freely associated states, and outlying areas to assist them in meeting the costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities. In general, if the appropriation increases, funds to states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are distributed based on the amounts each state received for FY 1999 and the relative numbers of children age 3 through 21 in their general populations and living in poverty, who are within the age range for which each of these entities mandates services to children with disabilities. The formula contains numerous provisions for situations in which the appropriation for the program remains constant, increases or decreases, and for several maximum and minimum funding limitations. Funds not reserved for state-level activities must be distributed to local education agencies (LEAs). Funds reserved for state-level activities may be used for state administration and other state-level activities, including an LEA high-cost fund.


TYPES OF PROJECTS

Funds under this program are combined with state and local funds to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities. Permitted expenditures include the salaries of special education teachers and costs associated with related services personnel, such as speech therapists and psychologists. States may use funds reserved for other state-level activities for a variety of specified activities, including: for support and direct services, technical assistance and personnel preparation; to assist LEAs in providing positive behavioral interventions and supports; and to improve the use of technology in the classroom. Some portion of funds reserved for other state-level activities must be used for monitoring, enforcement and complaint investigation, and to establish and implement the mediation process required by Sec. 615(e) of IDEA, including providing for the cost of mediators and support personnel. Each state has the option to reserve a portion of funds the state reserves for other state-level activities for a fund to assist LEAs in addressing the needs of high-cost children with disabilities. If the state opts to reserve for this fund, it may reserve a larger portion of its award for other state-level activities, and must reserve at least 10 percent of the amount set aside for other state-level activities for the fund.



 
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Last Modified: 09/18/2008