Maine is second in the nation for special education rates. Why?
Maine has the second-highest rate of students receiving special education services in the US, with nearly 21% of its 171,174 students qualifying for additional services in the 2023-24 school year. The state's identification rate has been trending upward, with experts citing factors like the COVID pandemic, an aging teacher population, and state regulations as possible reasons.
Maine ranks second in the nation for special education rates, with 20.48% of students qualifying for additional services in the 2023-24 school year. The state's identification rate has increased from 18.12% in 2020. Experts point to factors like the COVID pandemic and state regulations as possible reasons. Maine's Unified Special Education Regulations guide the evaluation process for special education services. The state has started to look for solutions, including a legislative attempt to factor identification rates into a new state funding formula. School districts have invested in special education teachers and specialized providers, with some developing their own solutions, such as Lewiston Public Schools' CLIMB program.
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