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Lawmakers probe rising special‑education costs as districts, private providers and RESCs push different fixes
Summary
Education committee hearing focused on sharply rising outplacement and tuition costs for students with complex needs, with providers warning that rate caps could force closures and districts urging state action on reimbursement and in‑district capacity grants.
Legislators pressed state and local officials on how to slow rapidly rising special‑education costs during an Education Committee public hearing, as superintendents, regional education service centers and private approved special‑education programs described conflicting pressures.
Why it matters: Connecticut school districts reported steep year‑over‑year increases in special‑education tuition for outplaced students and rising transportation and related costs. Municipal budget officers and school leaders said the surge is unsustainable without additional state support; private and nonprofit program operators warned that arbitrary statewide rate caps would jeopardize the programs that serve the state’s highest‑need students.
State Department of Education testimony: CSDE officials and the hearing’s witnesses described a complex picture. The department acknowledged bills under discussion (including Senate Bill 12 44) that would provide grants for in‑district program development and asked for more resources to support…
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