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NORC at the University Chicago

Survey on Special Education Spending

For Participants
Teacher sitting with studens and using toy blocks
The only national study conducted on special education spending in over 20 years

The National Study of Special Education Spending (NSSES) will provide the field with national estimates of what states, districts, and schools spend to provide students with disabilities special education services. The U.S. Department of Education has partnered with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), NORC at the University of Chicago (NORC), and Allovue, a PowerSchool company, to design and implement this important study.

Are you a district administrator?

We have scientifically selected districts to participate in the NSSES pilot study. Participation in this pilot will help us understand the feasibility of conducting the study on a larger scale.

Are you a school administrator?

Your district has approved your school’s participation in the NSSES pilot study. Participation in this study will help to understand special education spending on students with disabilities and help us understand the feasibility of the study on a larger scale.

Have you been asked to complete a survey?

Survey data collection will begin in early 2025. If you are asked to complete a survey, a member of our study team will provide you with information regarding how to access your survey.

  • School Student Resources Survey: School staff will be asked to complete a survey about the instruction and services each sampled student receives as well as student need.
  • District Student Services Survey: District officials will be asked to complete an online survey about their special education service delivery models and resources used to administer special education programs and comply with federal and state special education laws.
  • District Financial Data and Fiscal Officer Survey: District officials will be asked to submit data from their financial and personnel information systems and complete a survey about aggregated special and general education spending.


Get additional Information about the study, including FAQs.

Ready to Upload Requested Data?

You should have recieved a link to upload requested data. If you have not, please email us at NORC-NSSES@norc.org for a direct link.

Have a Question?

If you still have questions or if you have trouble uploading your data, please contact us:

Study Partnership

ED has partnered with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), NORC at the University of Chicago (NORC), and Allovue, a PowerSchool company, to design and implement this important study.

American Institutes for Research
Tammy Kolbe
Principal Investigator

NORC at the University of Chicago
Cynthia Simko
Data Collection Project Director

Allovue, a PowerSchool Company
Justin Dayhoff
Director of Education Research

Project Leads