Local districts have covered a growing share of rising special education spending

Dollars Shares

Special education spending by funding source (billions)

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SOURCES: Author's calculations based on the Standardized Account Code Structure (SACS) data. California Department of Education.

NOTES: Amounts adjusted for inflation (2024$) using the Implicit Price Deflator for State and Local Governments. Local spending represents the difference between total spending and state and federal funding for special education services. Year shown is fiscal year (e.g., 2025 = 2024–25).