What does this measure?
Percent of students (ages 6-21) classified with disabilities and receiving special education services.
Why is this important?
Students receiving special education services can be at greater risk for poor school performance, including lower test scores and a higher chance of dropping out. The proportion of students in special education can significantly affect a school district's budget, as some students may require intensive services. This proportion also can be an indicator of the effectiveness of intervention programs aimed at addressing problems in early years and preventing students from being classified with disabilities.
How does our county compare?
In 2023, 21% of Lancaster County students and 23% of Lancaster School District students received special education services, an increase of 4 percentage points for the County and 2 percentage points for the School District from 2010 figures. These rates were similar to the state (at 21%) which has seen an increase of 5 percentage points since 2010. Lancaster County and Lancaster School District had higher proportions than the nation, at 15%.
Berks County had a slightly higher proportion of students receiving special education services in 2023 at 24%. Lancaster County was similar to Lebanon (21%), Chester (20%), Dauphin (22%), York and Cumberland (both 18%).
Notes about the data
Data are from the National Center for Education Statistics. Varying school district practices on classifying students as having disabilities can impact the numbers. Also, school districts known for effective special education programs may attract more students with disabilities.
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 17% | 16% | 17% | 17% | 17% | 17% | 18% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 21% |
| Lancaster County | 17% | 16% | 16% | 16% | 16% | 16% | 17% | 17% | 18% | 18% | 19% | 20% | 19% | 21% |
| Berks County | 18% | 18% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 20% | 20% | 21% | 22% | 23% | 23% | 23% | 24% |
| Chester County | 17% | 17% | 17% | 17% | 17% | 18% | 18% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 20% |
| Cumberland County | 16% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 16% | 17% | 17% | 17% | 18% |
| Dauphin County | 17% | 17% | 17% | 17% | 16% | 17% | 17% | 18% | 18% | 19% | 20% | 19% | 19% | 22% |
| Lebanon County | 16% | 17% | 17% | 17% | 18% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 21% |
| York County | 16% | 16% | 16% | 16% | 16% | 16% | 17% | 17% | 17% | 18% | 18% | 18% | 18% | 18% |
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 294,592 | 295,077 | 294,963 | 295,501 | 294,997 | 296,959 | 302,540 | 310,244 | 319,733 | 326,985 | 338,355 | 337,846 | 342,042 | 357,917 |
| Lancaster County | 11,310 | 11,044 | 10,856 | 10,943 | 10,997 | 11,060 | 11,216 | 11,728 | 12,241 | 12,387 | 12,718 | 12,580 | 12,580 | 13,631 |
| Berks County | 12,483 | 12,691 | 12,922 | 12,936 | 13,026 | 13,116 | 13,291 | 13,637 | 14,099 | 14,853 | 15,331 | 15,059 | 15,059 | 15,921 |
| Chester County | 12,805 | 13,578 | 13,398 | 13,523 | 13,927 | 14,066 | 14,124 | 14,538 | 15,129 | 15,745 | 15,759 | 16,245 | 16,245 | 17,280 |
| Cumberland County | 3,937 | 3,837 | 3,879 | 3,884 | 3,877 | 3,977 | 3,964 | 4,015 | 4,085 | 4,368 | 4,620 | 4,616 | 4,616 | 5,082 |
| Dauphin County | 7,156 | 7,186 | 7,154 | 7,171 | 7,326 | 7,418 | 7,569 | 8,081 | 8,461 | 9,133 | 9,993 | 11,881 | 11,881 | 14,389 |
| Lebanon County | 3,047 | 3,127 | 3,203 | 3,336 | 3,363 | 3,517 | 3,650 | 3,767 | 3,851 | 3,934 | 3,959 | 3,892 | 3,892 | 4,140 |
| York County | 11,102 | 11,099 | 10,943 | 10,664 | 10,942 | 10,867 | 11,308 | 11,240 | 11,553 | 11,864 | 12,003 | 11,684 | 11,684 | 12,443 |
| INDICATORS | TREND |
|---|---|
| Prekindergarten Participation | Increasing |
| Student Performance on Grade 3 English | Not Applicable |
| Student Performance on Grade 8 Math | Not Applicable |
| High School Cohort Graduation Rate | Increasing |
| Per-Student Spending | Maintaining |
| Students Receiving Special Education Services | Increasing |
| Rate of Foster Care Admissions | Maintaining |
| Disengaged Youth | Maintaining |
| Single-Parent Families by Race/Ethnicity | Not Applicable |
| Plans of High School Graduates | Not Applicable |
| Enrollment in Local Colleges | Decreasing |
| College Graduation Rates | Decreasing |
| Brain Drain/Gain | Increasing |
| Education Levels of Adults by Race/Ethnicity | Not Applicable |
