Idaho's schools face a $66.5 million funding gap for special education

Idaho’s schools face a $66.5 million funding gap for special education, impacting vulnerable students.
Both federal and state governments have failed to fully fund the 40% of costs they promised for special ed.
Districts are required to provide services to all special ed students regardless of costs, leaving them to cover funding gaps.
Twin Falls faces high teacher caseloads of 30-40 students due to limited funding.
Staffing shortages exacerbate challenges as special ed funding makes caseloads high and turnover rampant.
Paraprofessionals are critical but also hard to hire and retain with low special ed pay.
The funding gap contributes to reduced resources and attention for special ed students statewide.

Idaho’s schools face a $66.5 million funding gap for special educationI