Idaho Allocates $5 Million for Special Education Funding

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Idaho Governor Brad Little has signed legislation that creates a new state fund to provide financial assistance to school districts serving students with disabilities who require specialized and costly services, such as nurses or ASL interpreters. The fund will allocate $5 million in one-time funding, with the potential for additional appropriations in future years.

Why it matters

This new fund is intended to help address the special education funding gap that many Idaho school districts have struggled with, as the costs of providing necessary services for students with disabilities can often exceed available budgets. By creating a dedicated source of supplemental funding, the state aims to ensure districts can adequately support all students in need.

The details

Under the new law, school districts can access the fund when the cost of educating a student with disabilities exceeds $30,000, after applying other available resources such as Medicaid. State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield championed the legislation, which is similar to a bill that narrowly failed to pass last year but includes changes to improve transparency and accountability.

• The legislation was signed into law by Governor Brad Little on April 13, 2026.
• The $5 million in one-time funding will be appropriated immediately.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Next year, the Idaho Legislature will need to decide whether to allocate additional funding to continue supporting the special education fund beyond the initial $5 million.