ED Proposal Removes Federal Data Collection for Special Education Racial Disparities
According to a notice published in the Federal Register today, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) proposes to eliminate a requirement for states to report on racial disparities in special education. The process of tracking racial overrepresentation or underrepresentation in special education—called significant disproportionality—aims to identify states and districts where racial gaps exist in special education identification, placement, and discipline.
Federal data show that in the 2020–21 school year, roughly 5% of school districts across the country were flagged for significant disproportionality. ED states that their goal in eliminating reporting on significant disproportionality is to reduce the paperwork burden, not to rescind the disproportionality regulation, known as Equity in IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). However, the lack of a central database will complicate efforts to analyze the degree of disproportionality across schools, districts, and states, making it difficult to identify and address disparities.
A public comment period on the proposal runs through October 21, 2025.