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Special education in Arkansas: rising counts, large achievement gaps and workforce concerns, DOE says more monitoring and pipeline work underway
Summary
Bureau analysts told the committee about an increase in students identified for special education (about 13% statewide), low proficiency rates on state and national assessments for students with disabilities, and funding through foundation teacher staffing and a $13M high‑cost occurrences pool; DOE highlighted teacher residency and monitoring plans to address waiver and workforce issues.
Adrian Beck of the Bureau of Legislative Research presented statewide data on students with disabilities and district practices, and Department of Education officials answered members’ questions about teacher waivers and monitoring.
Beck said about 13% of Arkansas public‑school students were identified for special education in 2021, with districts averaging about 14% and charters about 11%. He reviewed the 12 eligibility categories used in…
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