Today's Weather

Click for Sierra Vista, Arizona Forecast

Cost of special education

Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, Mar 12, 2008 - 05:22:35 am MST

Font Size

Last week it came to light that 13 percent of Sierra Vista public schools’ 6,168 students are using 30 percent of the instructional budget.

It is important to remember that the bulk of funding for special education is provided by the federal government, although that funding has remained level while the number of special-education students has continued to increase. This will pose a challenge that must be reconciled.

For some, even with the federal support, the disproportionate funding for special-ed students might seem to be an extravagance. There is a continual pressure to provide good services to the mainstream students. The resources are finite.

But it is important to remember that most special-ed students are labeled as “learning-disabled” and are proven learners in the long run, able to graduate and go on to lead productive lives. Though rare, there are some students with severe orthopedic impairments or other physical disabilities that require a lot of support.

How tragic it would be if a student with the aptitude of Stephen Hawking were denied an education.

We agree with Rob Dillon, Sierra Vista Public Schools’ pupil personnel services director, who oversees special education for the district, that we must “do the best we can with the resources we have.”

Dillon points out that the vast majority of special-education students go on to become productive members of society. He warns against allowing these special students to drop out of the system, because they can become a real burden to taxpayers if they don’t have a diploma to trade up for a job. Or, worse, they can get into trouble with the law and wind up in the criminal justice system.

If it takes one student 20 minutes to take a quiz that most students can ace in 5 minutes, what is the problem with that? Let’s help these kids get the education they need; otherwise, we may be paying double in the long run.

Print this story Email this story

Font Size

Use the form below to post a brief comment to this story, or respond to other readers. Please use the word count tool to assist you in keeping your remarks to 100 words or fewer.
Comments appear once they are approved. Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

unknown wrote on Mar 26, 2008 2:35 PM:

" I have been dealing with this problem for years. My children have problems learning as quickly as other students but because there is no help for them they continue to struggle. I am not a teacher this is why IO send my students to school but because of the budget restraints my children can not get the help they need. If I pay out of my own pocket I can get a tutor but being a single mother of 6 girls I can not afford that. Something needs to be done for the children who really need this help. ThankYou "

Independent wrote on Mar 25, 2008 11:47 AM:

" Federal law requires states to provide "a free, appropriate public education for every child" in the "least restrictive" way. It does not dictate the method which is debated across the country. Why SV chose "inclusion" needs some discussion including cost (when the district can determine the cost). General ed students are not doing well competing internationally and we have a dropout crisis. Only about 70% of those attending high school, graduate (brown and black kids 50%) and of those more than half are unprepared for academic work in college. Something wrong here! "

Gypsy wrote on Mar 25, 2008 11:35 AM:

" No, don't cut teachers' salaries (and they aren't as poorly paid as some say). Half of all teachers leave the field within five years as it is. No, I'd focus on cutting administration (which is higher in Sierra Vista than Arizona as a whole. Also look at plant operations (waaay higher than state or national averages), food service and student support (special ed) also higher than the national average. I'd end breakfast and transportation in a minute and put the money into the classroom. Let the parents do something beside procreate! "

Billy Hill wrote on Mar 25, 2008 7:08 AM:

" Have you ever gone to a store and wound up confronting the cashier with a problem that causes them to have to solve a math problem. First the stare, then it turns to a grimace as it becomes painful, rather than be there for an hour I usually give them the answer agt this point.

Why teach to a test, so I can get out of this line and get on with my life. "

Teacher Pay wrote on Mar 25, 2008 6:19 AM:

" According to the 2007 ALEC Report on Education (the ALEC Reports are the ones the District likes to use to pick random facts out of to paint a doom and gloom picture of AZ educational funding) AZ teacher pay ranks 27th in the nation. So they are certainly not working for minimum wage. Many states that are ranked higher in per pupil funding pay thier teachers less than AZ pays. Nor does higher pay produce guaranteed increases in academic achievement, Ca is rated very high in teacher pay but has dismal academic performance. "

Breathtakingly... wrote on Mar 23, 2008 6:50 AM:

" A society puts ALL of its young in one building for 13 years each, drills into them that success in life means passing a test, and then wonders why there are problems. How about parents raising their kids, schools be for the three R's, and we, society, come up with vocational alternatives that closely resemble what is actually needed when they become adults. Who gives a care if the plumber can fill out a bubble test? His measure of success is a toilet that flushes! "

not buying it wrote on Mar 22, 2008 7:02 PM:

" Last I knew, Sp. Ed. teachers received more pay than a regular teacher. Also, no teacher of any kind is being paid minimum wage. Finally, whatever the pay is, and a teacher doesn't like the pay, then why are these people going in for these jobs? It isn't a secret what the pay of any profession is before one puts the time and money to get a degree in that field. Why does it seem teacher pay is always an unfounded complaint? "

Pursuing Dr. in Special Ed wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:03 PM:

" I have to respond to the parent of a special ed student's comment that teachers' salaries should be cut in order to give the children a better education. It must be pointed out that teachers do not make enough for what they do as it is, especially those in the special education field. I must also point out that in our nation, you get what you pay for. Therefore, if you pay a teacher minimum wage, you're going to get minimum wage performance from them. That's not what you want, especially in special education. "

To BTW wrote on Mar 17, 2008 7:40 PM:

" Your sure nailed it. The school lost two money making students because they were illegal and were arrested, what a fluke. "

To BTW wrote on Mar 17, 2008 5:09 PM:

" Going to be a long vigil. The County Attorney has told us that illegals don't stay here to work or take advantage of our education system or other services. They are merely passing through to other places. There are no illegals in the school system even though a couple have been identified because of crimes they committed. Just a fluke. Besides if they are here and leave that drops the student count and results in funding reduction. Don't want that. So don't look for any aggressive enforcement of the Employer Sanctions Law here, won't happen. "

Parent of special ed student wrote on Mar 17, 2008 2:35 PM:

" It doesn't mean are kids will be on welfare. They deserve an education. The illegals get on welfare. The students need understanding teachers, parents taking the time with the student and caring about your students, and teens. If you catch the disability when they are young they have a better chance. I have been to some fine states that have a better education for special ed then Sierra Vista has and it is time for Sierra Vista to get on track with educating our students better. All our students!! Cut teachers salary "

BTW wrote on Mar 16, 2008 10:53 PM:

" I'm watching to see how the new Employer Sanctions law will affect school attendance, upon which most money flows. We're already reading about illegals leaving the state, so what effect might that have on enrollment and budgets? TUSD is going through some dramatic budget reductions because of people leaving the district (closing 4 schools, reducing staff and programs). How might SVPS be affected? "

Life-Long SV Resident wrote on Mar 14, 2008 4:42 PM:

" I'd rather my money went to these kids instead of illegal aliens kids. "

Curious wrote on Mar 13, 2008 7:53 PM:

" The stance of the newspaper?
Who is the newspaper?
Is it the Wick Companies, the people that employ you? Do you check in with them everyday before you write, and publish your editorial, and see if they approve? Wouldn't want to step on their toes would you? "

To Pessimist wrote on Mar 13, 2008 1:39 PM:

" Yes the anti-tax folks will oppose any override. For many reasons one of which is that overrides do not solve the education funding problem, just makes it worse. People paying the inceased taxes don't get a 10% boost in income every year like the school district gets with an override but have to pay about 10% in addition property taxes every year to fund them. So when are you and all those decrying education funding going to march on the state capitol with a list of solutions other than picking the pockets of the local homeowner? "

Curious wrote on Mar 13, 2008 10:39 AM:

" Thanks for the info Editor. It would be nice to know which one of the three writes it everyday, so we would know which one of you we can sound off on.
Which one of you three has certain opinions. EDITOR'S NOTE: While individuals write the opinion pieces, an editorial is the stance of the newspaper and is not just of that individual. "

Skeptical wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:46 AM:

" Aha! So in response to the reader who asked WHO wrote THIS op-ed piece, you leave him guessing--it could be one of three (or presumably a collaboration). Why didn't you just answer the reader's question? WHO wrote THIS piece? Is that so hard to understand? EDITOR'S NOTE: We weren't trying to obfuscate who wrote the edit. Since the words used were: "who writes", we made the assumption they were seeking the overall answer. If the comment would have said "who wrote" this opinion it would have been easier to decipher. So that answer to that is City Editor Ted Morris primary writer for this editorial, with suggestions/editing by Publisher Phil Vega. "

Ubu wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:37 PM:

" Buena puts perfectly capable students in alternative education not because they are challenged but because the school has lost control. "

Curious wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:31 PM:

" I sure would like to know who at the Herald writes this editoral opinion.
Fess up.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Opinion pieces are written by one of three people: Publisher Phil Vega, Editor Keith Allen or City Editor Ted Morris. "

Styx wrote on Mar 12, 2008 6:57 PM:

" As the mother of a special needs child, I feel sorry for those "normal" people with "normal" kids that shoot each other,use drugs, fight in the streets, have babies they cant possibly take care of, drink then die on our highways....People who are born different have the SAME RIGHTS that you do. May your grandchildren ALL be "special"...then perhaps you might grow a HEART! Perhaps you think its ok to educate ILLEGAL people's children rather than our own who just happen to be labeled as "Not quite as worthwhile as your so called NORMAL kid! "

Jacqueline O'Connor wrote on Mar 12, 2008 5:35 PM:

" Your point that the federal government pays most of the cost for special education students is (a) dumb (it all comes out of our pockets). (b) you haven't considered if the school district is classifying students as "special" for monetary reasons; (c) we hire a great many high priced support people to attend to special ed students, money which could be directed to educate the general ed student for tomorrow's world. These choices need discussion, not a knee jerk response. No one is recommending that special ed students be denied education, but what way is equitable to all? "

Some Explaination Please wrote on Mar 12, 2008 3:49 PM:

" If 30% of the budget is spent on 13% of the student population, that equates to over $14k spent on each special education student versus a little over $6.6K for the other students. That would indicate that either there is overkill on catering to these students needs or the majority are more severely diasbled that we are being led to believe. Special Education students are weighted more than regular and the district recieves additional funding for each, up to 8 times more. So how much money does the district get versus what it spends for special ed. "

Parent of a Special Ed Student at Buena H.S. wrote on Mar 12, 2008 3:20 PM:

" Mr. Dillon,
I thank you for your article. I do believe also that all students learn at a different way. Circles, triangles ect. We must not treat the students all the same as we teach them. Let's see did you know we had several Presidents that were ADHD, and learning disabled. They became President of the United States. It does take a special teachers to teach our Children. NAMI also has said they would come in and teach the teachers about the different disabilities and teaching tecniques that work. Be Positive! not Negative! "

Billy Hill wrote on Mar 12, 2008 10:28 AM:

" The definition of "Learning Disabled" is someone who might not be able to pass the test. By classifying the disabled thier scores no longer count against the school. It also means they will be on welfare. The educational system is broken beyond repair. "

Pessimist wrote on Mar 12, 2008 9:05 AM:

" Since they can't control federal mandates or spending on special education students the anti-tax, at all cost, radicals of Sierra Vista will do all they can in an area they can control, opposing any override, so the schools won't have the money they need. Perhaps we should put BHS Athletics on the override, and continue to fund what's really important. It's time the state started paying an adequate amount, to support our schools, so they are not at the mercy of the override. "

Ummmmmm wrote on Mar 12, 2008 8:07 AM:

" You said, "If it takes one student 20 minutes to take a quiz that most students can ace in 5 minutes, what is the problem with that"? I think the problem is, how is this person going to become a productive member of society.
Who is going to hire someone that takes four times as long to do something? "

Skeptical wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:51 AM:

" To whomever wrote this Pollyanna op-ed piece: You ask, If it takes one student 20 minutes to take a quiz that most students can ace in 5 minutes, what is the problem with that?

Answer: Well, duh! It's called 'dumbing down' the entire system, or pandering to the mediocre to the detriment of the 'normal.' It has become America's knee-jerk PC reaction to most every social problem--otherwise known as the Rodney King Social Panacea: 'Can't we all just get along?' "