Ohio state Representatives Andrea White (R-Kettering) and Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) have introduced new legislation aimed at significantly increasing special education funding across the state. Ohio House Bill 1012 proposes creating a $360 million special education threshold cost reimbursement fund within the General Revenue Fund. The lawmakers state this measure is necessary to provide more financial support to school districts as the demand for specialized services and their associated costs continue to rise.
Representative White emphasized in a statement that the cost of providing specialized services is growing at an "exponential pace," and that more students require these services. She added that increased financial support from the state is crucial to ensure all students have access to meaningful learning and supports, regardless of where they live. Data from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) supports this concern, indicating an increase in the number of students with disabilities in Ohio over the last five years.
Under current Ohio law, school districts can seek reimbursement for special education costs that exceed a certain threshold. This threshold varies from $27,375 to $32,850, depending on the specific disability category of the child. For fiscal year 2026, ODEW spokesperson Lacey Snoke reported that 22,158 student applications from 535 school districts were approved. These districts collectively received a 25.57% reimbursement, totaling $90.9 million.
Representative Abrams conveyed in an email that "This special education funding will greatly help ensure all students receive high-quality education." The proposed bill has been met with positive reactions from special education advocates. Jennifer Webb, past president for the Council for Exceptional Children’s Ohio chapter and chair of the teacher education programs at Malone University, expressed her support. Webb said she was "pleasantly surprised and amazed by the support that it shows and the recognition of the need," suggesting that with more funding, schools could potentially offer more services, materials, resources, or curriculum as appropriate.
Dee Marks, a member of the Organization Council under the governing board of the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, explained the financial challenges currently faced by school districts. Marks noted that when a student requires significantly more support or services than what is typically covered, the additional costs often have to be drawn from the school district's general fund. This practice, Marks warned, "impacts everybody." The proposed bill, she said, would provide school districts with additional funds they can "tap in to when they need it," aiming to prevent them from having to pull additional money out of their general fund.
Marks also highlighted a significant increase in students who require a higher rate of funding. She stressed that while school districts receive a fixed standard amount of state funding per special education student based on disability category, this amount does not always cover all necessary expenses. Marks underscored the importance of the bill for all students. She stated that when money must be diverted from general funds that benefit all students to meet the legal standards for special education, all students, including those with special needs, ultimately suffer.
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is responsible for ensuring states comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that mandates a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities, requiring school districts to provide these services.
The introduction of this bill follows recent federal administrative changes announced by the Trump administration in June. These changes involve moving OSERS to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Office for Civil Rights to the U.S. Department of Justice. Ohio special education advocates have voiced concerns, as reported by the Ohio Capital Journal, that these federal shifts could lead to confusion, delays, and a loss of services for students.
Ohio House Bill 1012 would need to pass before the current two-year General Assembly concludes in December. If it does not, the bill would have to be reintroduced in a future legislative session.
