This categorical aid program provides state funding for special education services to children with disabilities, as well as services to school-age parents. Special education aid is provided under 115.88 and 118.255, and aid for school-age parents falls under 115.93; both are funded through the same appropriation, 20.255(2)(b), and the vast majority of aid is for special education. Like equalization aid, this is a cost-reimbursement program that provides funding based on eligible costs in the prior year.
Eligibile Agencies: School districts, CESAs, CCDEBs, and non-district (2r) charter schools can receive special education aid under 115.88. Aid for health treatment related to particular disabilities under 118.255 is available to districts, CESAs, and CCDEBs (not 2rs) with an approved plan, while aid for school-age parent programs under 115.93 is available only to districts.
Eligible Costs: Only the excess costs of providing special education to children with disabilities (defined in 115.76) and school-age parents are eligible for categorical aid. Aid is available for the salary and benefits of licensed teachers, aides, and support staff, as well as transportation and a few other specific costs. Staff eligibility for categorical aid depends upon both licensure and assignment. The eligibility requirements for categorical aid are generally stricter than for funding under a federal IDEA grant.
- See State Special Education Categorical Aid Eligible Costs for full details on aid eligibility.
Funding: Special education and school-age parents categorical aid is a sum-certain appropriation in the biennial budget. In 2012-13, the total appropriation is $368,939,100. Aid payments are prorated as total eligible costs exceed the appropriation; in recent years the proration rate has been in the range of 25 to 30 percent.
Payment Details: Aid is paid throughout the year over six payments. The first five payments are made on the third Mondays from November through March, each being 15% of the total amount under a conservative proration estimate. A final payment of 25% (plus any adjustments after the proration is finalized) is made the second Monday of June. Revenue should be coded to Fund 27, Source 611.
2012-13 AID PRORATION RATE
The final 2012-13 aid payment run is complete and the proration rate for payment of special education categorical aid has been determined at 27.47% of eligible costs. Districts and agencies with special education open enrollment or tuition agreements should use this rate as the basis for determining their aid transits.
Remember:
- The proration rate applies only to the aid-eligible special education costs of a student above and beyond the open enrollment flat-rate transfer amount.
- The full open enrollment/tuition amount should be billed to the sending district, and then the receiving district should transit the aid back. Prorated aid estimates should never be used to discount or credit the open enrollment/tuition bill.
2013-14 ESTIMATED PRORATION RATE
The proration rate for payment of special education categorical aid in 2013-14 is currently estimated at 26%. This estimate is based on data submitted by districts and 2r charter schools in their PI-1504-SE budget reports, and the Governor's budget proposal to fund special education aid at the same level as in the 2011-13 biennium; it may be subject to change.
Resources:
- Eligibility and Reporting
- Cost and Aid Payment Worksheets
- Categorical Aid Proration
- Longitudinal Expenditure Data
- Fiscal Reporting
Related Programs: