Provide high quality in district programs for students with more severe needs

In the past, many medium sized and smaller school districts hesitated to create their own special education programs, believing they lacked enough students at a specific grade level to justify the costs. However, this isn't always the case. If a district has at least three students with similar needs within the same age range, establishing an in house program may be more cost effective than placing the students in an external program. Savings from reduced tuition payments and transportation costs should then be reinvested to enhance services within the district.

The key to success lies in hiring staff with the right skills and training, adjusting staffing levels throughout the year based on enrollment changes, and providing dedicated leadership for these programs. This approach ensures that resources are used efficiently, creating effective and affordable in-district special education programs.