Cost of special education
The Peel District School Board serves about 13,000 students in special education programs. These programs serve students with developmental challenges, learning disabilities, behavioural problems, speech and language needs - and more. They also include enhanced learning classes for gifted students and secondary school vocational programs.
The cost of special education programs is basically the amount spent over and above what would be spent if these students were in regular classroom programs without any special support or assistance. Other costs, such as building maintenance and administration, are not included because they would be the same whether students are in regular or special education programs.
The total annual additional cost for special education is $44.4 million. Additional costs for special education are due to smaller class sizes, increased transportation costs and the need for teaching assistants.
For elementary students, the average extra cost for special education is $4,176 per students
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| Elementary special education expense | Total cost |
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| teachers | $10.1 million |
| teaching assistants | $15.8 million |
| special programs | $1.4 million |
| resource teachers | $1.5 million |
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For secondary students, the additional costs for special education is $3,060 per student
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| Secondary special education expenses | Total cost |
|---|---|
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| teachers (including vocational education) | $11.4 million |
| special programs | $1.4 million |
| teaching assistants | $2.5 million |
| department head release time | $350,000 |
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Other factors increase cost of special education
- About 12 per cent of students are identified as being exceptional by an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC).
- Many of these students are placed in special education programs that have maximum class sizes mandated by the Ministry of Education and Training.
- More than 100 of these students have special needs requiring one-to-one support.
