Special Education Quiz

How Does Special Education Funding Work? Test Your Knowledge

By Mark Lieberman — May 04, 2023 1 min read
Image of a student working with a teacher.
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

Every day, millions of American children receive special education services mandated by their individualized education plan, or IEP. Those services are far more costly and complex than the already-complex task of educating students without disabilities.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is the federal law that lays out states’ and school districts’ requirements for educating students with disabilities, and the funding mechanisms.

Beyond that, how much do you know about how special education works? Take our quiz below to find out.

Once you complete the quiz, you can see how your score compares to your peers’, get detailed explanations of the correct answers, and find additional reading and resources on the topic.

To learn more about the complexities of special education funding, read my explainer, How Special Education Funding Actually Works.

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Special Education Webinar
Integrating and Interpreting MTSS Data: How Districts Are Designing Systems That Identify Student Needs
Discover practical ways to organize MTSS data that enable timely, confident MTSS decisions, ensuring every student is seen and supported.
Content provided by Panorama Education
Artificial Intelligence Live Online Discussion A Seat at the Table: AI Could Be Your Thought Partner
How can educators prepare young people for an AI-powered workplace? Join our discussion on using AI as a cognitive companion.
Student Well-Being & Movement K-12 Essentials Forum How Schools Are Teaching Students Life Skills
Join this free virtual event to explore creative ways schools have found to seamlessly integrate teaching life skills into the school day.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Special Education A Small Change in Special Ed. Rules Could Affect Equity, Accountability, Advocates Warn
The paperwork change could make it harder to track equity in special education, advocates said.
5 min read
A young  student of color struggles to carry a large heavy backpack conceptual
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Special Education Spotlight Spotlight on MTSS in Practice: From Life Skills to Learning Strategies
This Spotlight focuses on MTSS, providing a framework to support both students and educators across a range of needs and settings.
Special Education Teachers Are Using AI to Help Write IEPs. Advocates Have Concerns
Experts call for guardrails around the ethical, legal, and instructional concerns.
9 min read
Female student retrieving an IEP document from a giant laptop equipped with artificial intelligence.
iStock/Getty Images + Vanessa Solis/Education Week
Special Education Opinion ‘Educational Exile’: How Trump’s Layoffs Threaten Students With Disabilities
Here’s what’s at stake for millions of students if we lose federal enforcement of IDEA.
Susan Haas
4 min read
Wheelchair user obstacle metaphor. Conquering adversity. Hurdle on way concept. Overcoming obstacle on road. Vector illustration 3d isometric design. Barrier on way to success.
iStock/Getty Images + Vanessa Solis/Education Week