Reps. White and Abrams Introduce Bill to Expand Funding for Special Education Students

COLUMBUS – State Representatives Andrea White (R-Kettering) and Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) yesterday introduced House Bill 1012, legislation to provide expanded funding to schools to support students with special education needs.

Currently, schools receive additional state funding beyond their base amount for services provided to students with special education needs within their district. Once the costs of serving an individual special education student exceeds a certain threshold, school districts can apply to the state for additional funding to help cover these costs. As both the number of students needing services and the cost to provide those services have risen, more dollars are now needed to fully cover districts’ growing costs. The legislative proposal spearheaded by Representatives White and Abrams would require the state to cover the full additional cost when students’ service costs exceed their special education threshold amount.

“Since I’ve been a legislator, I have fought for more funding to provide quality educational experiences for all students, and to support our schools and communities as evidence-based learning strategies and postsecondary pathways continue to evolve,” said Rep. White.  “As more students need specialized services and the cost of providing these services continues to grow at an exponential pace at the school district level, we need more financial support from the state so that no matter where a student lives, they can have access to meaningful learning and supports to help them achieve their goals.”

“I am a steadfast supporter of our public schools, advocating consistently for the robust funding our students and teachers deserve,” said Abrams. “This special education funding will greatly help all students receive high-quality education.”

“I am grateful to all of the parents, school superintendents, treasurers and school board members, the Montgomery County Educational Service Center, legislative staff, and my fellow legislators, Reps. Cindy Abrams, Phil Plummer, Tom Young, Gayle Manning and Mike Odioso, who have voiced their concerns and helped to shape this legislation,” Rep. White added.  

According to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, students with disabilities accounted for 17.3% of Ohio’s preschool and school-age population during the 2024-2025 school year.

The number of students needing special education services has continued to increase, spurring the introduction of this legislation. For example, at the preschool level, the number of students receiving special education services has increased over the past few school years as follows: 

• 2021-2022 school year: Overall increase of 7.5%
• 2022-2023 school year: Overall increase of 10.6%
• 2024-2025 school year: Overall increase of 1.8%
   

Additionally, school districts applied for reimbursement of special education costs that rose above the threshold amount for 19,397 students last year, which was an increase of 26% from the prior year. 

House Bill 1012 awaits a House committee assignment.