Grants & Funding
Federal Funding
IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act – Part B
Federal funds under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) are available both for preschool and school-age special education programs.
Virginia's Application for IDEA Part B Funds
Local Special Education Application for Part B Funds (Annual Plan)
School divisions submit applications to the Virginia Department of Education for approval to receive federal Part B funds.
IDEA Part B (Section 611) – Flow-Through Funding
- 2012-2013 (PDF) (expires September 30, 2014)
- 2011-2012 (PDF) (expires September 30, 2013)
- 2010-2011 (PDF) (expires September 30, 2012)
- 2009-2010 (PDF) (expires September 30, 2011)
- 2008-2009 (PDF) (expires September 30, 2010)
- 2007-2008 (PDF) (expires September 30, 2009)
- 2006-2007 (PDF) (expires September 30, 2008)
IDEA Part B (Section 619) – Pre-School
- 2012-2013 (PDF) (expires September 30, 2014)
- 2011-2012 (PDF) (expires September 30, 2013)
- 2010-2011 (PDF) (expires September 30, 2012)
- 2009-2010 (PDF) (expires September 30, 2011)
- 2008-2009 (PDF) (expires September 30, 2010)
- 2007-2008 (PDF) (expires September 30, 2009)
- 2006-2007 (PDF) (expires September 30, 2008)
Proportionate Share CalculationExpenditures by school divisions on the provision of special education and related services for parentally-placed private school children.
IDEA Part B Allocations Under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA)ARRA appropriates additional funding for programs under IDEA Part B.
Medicaid
School divisions may also seek federal Medicaid reimbursement for certain students and services by applying to the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services to be an approved provider.
- Medicaid and Schools – School divisions can submit reimbursement claims to Medicaid for some services provided to students.
State Funding
State funds are made available to school divisions to assist in the cost of implementing the state's special education program standards. For each child counted in the school division's average daily membership (ADM), an amount is paid to the school division for this purpose. This per-child amount is referred to as the special education add-on. The per-child special education add-on amount is determined by calculating the theoretical number of teachers and aides necessary to meet the special education program standards in each school (based on information supplied on the Dec. 1 Count of Children Receiving Special Education and Related Services), and then determining the state's share of the theoretical cost of those teachers and aides. The state's share of this cost is determined according to the locality's composite index of local ability to pay.
Under certain conditions, different state funds are available to certain school divisions who claim regional tuition reimbursement for certain students in leiu of the state funds referred to above. VDOE sets the tuition rates that these locally operated programs may charge to the participating school divisions.
Children placed in private special education schools are funded through an interagency pool which exists under the Comprehensive Services Act to pay the state's share of the cost of services for children who are in (or at risk of) out-of-home placement by any local public agency (i.e., courts, social services, or school division).
Local Funding
Local school boards determine how much local funding to request from the governing body (city council, town council or board of supervisors) by costing out all of its programs and then subtracting out the anticipated revenues from state, federal and other sources.
Resources
- How Special Education Programs are Funded in Virginia's Schools (PDF)
- Special Education Grant Management – Handbook of Procedures and Forms (PDF) • (Word)
- Comprehensive Services Act for At Risk Youth and Families
View VDOE's Expenses