BFS

However, IDEA-B also recognizes that some children with disabilities may have unique needs that require additional resources and services, which can result in what is known as “excess costs.” Therefore, IDEA-B includes a provision that requires states and local education agencies (LEAs) to provide for the excess costs of providing special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities.

Under this provision, IDEA-B requires and LEAs use a combination of federal, state, and local funds to cover the excess costs of providing special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities. The amount of excess costs that must be covered varies depending on the state and LEA, but the goal is to ensure that all eligible children with disabilities receive the services they need to succeed in school.

In order to receive funding under IDEA-B, states and LEAs must comply with the excess costs requirements and ensure that eligible children with disabilities receive the services they need to receive a FAPE. This includes providing individualized education plans (IEPs) that outline the services and accommodations a child needs, as well as ensuring that the child’s progress is regularly monitored and evaluated. By meeting these requirements, states and LEAs can help ensure that all children with disabilities receive the support they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Calculating excess costs under IDEA-B can be a complex process. The calculation involves determining the total cost of providing special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities and then subtracting the amount of federal funds that would be provided through the IDEA-B grant.

To calculate the total cost of providing special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities, an LEA must consider a variety of factors, including:

1. The number of eligible children with disabilities in the LEA
2. The types and severity of their disabilities
3. The services and accommodations they require.
4. The cost of providing these services and accommodations, including salaries for teachers and support staff, equipment, materials, and transportation.

In general terms, once the total cost has been determined, the LEA must subtract the amount of federal funds that would be provided through the IDEA-B grant. This amount is based on a formula that considers the number of children with disabilities in the LEA and the LEA’s overall student population.

If the total cost of providing special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities exceeds the amount of federal funds provided through the IDEA-B grant, the LEA must use a combination of state and local funds to cover the excess costs. This can be a significant financial burden for LEAs, which is why it is important for LEAs to be aware of their Excess Costs amount in order to provide adequate funding for special education and related services.

Overall, calculating excess costs under IDEA-B requires careful consideration of the unique needs of individual children with disabilities and a commitment to providing the resources and support necessary for them to succeed in school and beyond.