OSEP Releases New Dose of Data Showing Increase in Children Served Under IDEA

In their January newsletter, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has released a “dose of data” showing a visualization of the number of children with disabilities from 2018 to 2022. Divided by age, their bar graph shows a steady increase of people from birth through 21 served through Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from a total of 7,541,115 in 2018 to 8,073,711 in 2022. The increase in the number of people with disabilities served under IDEA far exceeds the incremental increases in funding for IDEA Part C for infants and toddlers, Part B preschool program, and Part B grants to states program for children and youth. The dose of data underscores the need for continued advocacy in support of increased funding for IDEA programs. Additional highlights from the newsletter include an upcoming transition webinar as part of the Department’s “Expect, Engage, and Empower: Successful Transitions for All!” initiative and links to 10 new 2021-22/ 2022 data files for IDEA Section 618.

Access the newsletter here.