Study of a regional approach for delivering special education programs and service
Published: 2018
Publication Name: Maine Education Policy Research Institute
Publication URL: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mepri/49/
Abstract:
At the request of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs of the Maine State Legislature, the Maine Education Policy Research Institute (MEPRI) conducted a study of school districts’ use of a regional approach for delivering special education programs and services in Maine. Regionalization has been of particular interest in Maine which has a large number of small school districts, decreasing enrollments, and rising costs in education—particularly for special education programs services. In 2017-18, a legislative Task Force to Identify Special Education Cost Drivers and Innovative Approaches to Services offered recommendations to address many different challenges related to special education (Maine State Legislature, 2018). Some of the Task Force recommendations directly reinforce findings from this study: acute shortages in special education teachers and specialists, need for improved funding of special education, and the need to review and improve the MaineCare billing system and to reduce the burden for districts seeking reimbursement from federal funding.
This study was funded by the Maine State Legislature, and the University of Maine System.
Fairman, J. C., & Seymour, M. E. (2018). Study of a regional approach for delivering special education programs and services. Maine Education Policy Research Institute. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mepri/49/