Children And Education

Increasing


Students Receiving Special Education Services

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 2022, 19% of Lancaster County students and 22% of Lancaster School District students received special education services, an increase of 6 percentage points for the County and no change for the School District from 2000 figures. These rates were similar to the state (at 20%) which has seen an increase of 8 percentage points since 2001. 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 2021 at 23%. Lancaster County was similar to Lebanon (20%), Chester and Dauphin (both at 19%), York (18%), and Cumberland (17%).

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.

Students Receiving Special Education Services
20002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Pennsylvania12%13%13%14%14%15%16%16%17%17%16%17%17%17%17%18%18%19%19%20%20%20%
Lancaster County13%14%15%15%16%16%16%16%17%17%17%16%16%16%16%16%17%17%18%18%19%20%19%
Berks County10%11%11%12%13%14%14%15%16%17%18%18%18%19%19%19%20%20%21%22%23%23%23%
Chester County11%11%12%13%13%14%15%16%17%17%17%17%17%17%17%18%18%18%19%19%19%19%19%
Cumberland County12%13%13%13%14%13%14%15%15%15%16%15%15%15%15%15%15%15%15%16%17%17%17%
Dauphin County12%14%13%14%15%16%16%17%17%17%17%17%17%17%16%17%17%18%18%19%20%19%19%
Lebanon County11%12%12%13%13%14%14%15%15%15%16%17%17%17%18%18%19%19%20%20%20%20%20%
York County14%14%14%14%15%16%16%16%17%17%16%16%16%16%16%16%17%17%17%18%18%18%18%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics




Number of Students Receiving Special Education Services
20002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Pennsylvania222,584232,056242,837253,129260,909267,682292,649293,865295,028294,592295,077294,963295,501294,997296,959302,540310,244319,733326,985338,355337,846342,042
Lancaster County9,0459,41110,14810,44811,08311,29511,42411,55511,60211,56211,31011,04410,85610,94310,99711,06011,21611,72812,24112,38712,71812,58012,580
Berks County6,4637,0147,4848,1918,7319,4339,92810,97411,11311,83012,48312,69112,92212,93613,02613,11613,29113,63714,09914,85315,33115,05915,059
Chester County6,7277,4128,0408,6539,15610,09010,66611,99212,44512,66012,80513,57813,39813,52313,92714,06614,12414,53815,12915,74515,75916,24516,245
Cumberland County2,9173,1893,2093,3223,4313,4143,5783,9323,8813,8733,9373,8373,8793,8843,8773,9773,9644,0154,0854,3684,6204,6164,616
Dauphin County4,7335,1815,2405,4775,9976,1426,2626,8626,9157,0917,1567,1867,1547,1717,3267,4187,5698,0818,4619,1339,99311,88111,881
Lebanon County1,9142,0942,0762,3212,4232,5802,6422,8862,8972,9113,0473,1273,2033,3363,3633,5173,6503,7673,8513,9343,9593,8923,892
York County8,8358,9409,0919,44110,13110,49810,73711,39211,42211,37411,10211,09910,94310,66410,94210,86711,30811,24011,55311,86412,00311,68411,684

Source: National Center for Education Statistics




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