Boost to Special Education Funding Passes House

DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Cathy Kipp to increase special education funding. SB23-099 passed by a vote of 57-6.

“Increasing special education funding is critical to help schools cover the costs of providing learning support, speech therapy, and other services to our students that need additional help to succeed in school,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “This legislation improves special education funding so that our schools aren’t burdened with fronting the cost of special education services on their own, creating a better learning environment for all students.”

SB23-099, also sponsored by Rep. Lisa Frizell, increases funding by over $40 million for special education services for public schools, including charter schools, to better support students’ needs. Increased per pupil funding from this bill will help lower student-teacher ratios, reduce class sizes and help provide more tailored and individualized assistance to students. Per pupil special education funding includes funding for students with at least one disability who need significant support in school. This bill increases per pupil special education funding up to $6,000 per student to improve education services to learners within special education.