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What is the purpose of this program?
The program provides formula grants to states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the secretary of the interior, and outlying areas to assist them all in meeting the costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities.
How can these funds be used?
Federal funds are combined with state and local funds to provide free and appropriate public education to children with disabilities. This includes special education and related services provided in the least restrictive environment to meet the individual needs of each child with a disability. Funds are used for salaries of teachers and other personnel, education materials, related services—such as special transportation or occupational therapy that allow children with disabilities to access education services—and other education-related costs.
What are the eligibility requirements?
In order to be eligible for funding, States must serve all children with disabilities ages 3 through 21 years, except that they are not required to serve children ages 3 through 5 or 18 through 21 years if services are inconsistent with State law or practice or the order of any court. A State that does not provide free appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities ages 3 through 5 cannot receive base payment funds attributable to this age group or funds under the Preschool Grants program.
What is the application or allocation process?
Subject to maximum and minimum funding requirements, funds to states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are distributed based on the amounts each state received for FY 1999 and the relative numbers of children in their general populations and in poverty in the age ranges for which they mandate services. Most of the funds must be distributed to local education agencies serving children directly. States may retain the remaining funds for state-level activities including administration of the program (e.g., monitoring), support of the program (e.g., professional development), and direct services (e.g., operation of a State school for the deaf and hard of hearing) to children with disabilities.
Funding Process for Schools:
Formula-based funding
Total FY 2004 Funding:
$10,068,106,452
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
This information also appears at the US Department of Education:
http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/osep/index.html?exp=0
Authorizing Legislation:
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B., Sec. 611, as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1411
Name: Ruth Ryder
Phone: (202) 245-7513
Email: ruth.ryder@ed.gov
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