Special Education Study Finds Lasting Academic Gains

Research shows students in special ed made meaningful progress in math and reading after identification.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:04am

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A new study found that students in special education made significant and sustained academic gains in math and reading after being identified for and receiving special education services. The findings offer evidence that special education is working well for many students, though the study does not address whether the services could be improved further given the high costs involved.

Why it matters

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act turned 50 last year, and this study provides some of the most comprehensive and rigorous evidence to date on the effectiveness of special education services. As advocates and policymakers continue to debate the law's impact, these findings suggest special education is making a meaningful difference in the lives of many students.

The details

Researchers analyzed data across three states and found that access to special education services changed students' academic trajectories for the better, with 'immediate, quite large, and sustained' gains in math and reading. The study indicates that special education is working well for many students who receive the additional services, though it does not address whether the services could be improved further given the significant costs involved.

  • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act turned 50 in 2025.
  • The study was released on March 30, 2026.

The players

Marcus Winters

Lead author of the paper and a professor at Boston University.

Branch Brook School

A school in Newark, New Jersey, shown on the first day of school in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“The gains were 'immediate, quite large, and sustained'.”

— Marcus Winters, Lead author of the paper

The takeaway

This study provides strong evidence that special education services are making a meaningful difference in the lives of many students, offering hope that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is succeeding in its mission to support students with disabilities. However, the high costs of special education mean there is still room for improvement in ensuring these services are as effective and efficient as possible.