March 2021
In rural America, the number of students requiring special education and related services—across every disability category—is rising. At the same time, inadequate state and local funding and a national shortage of related service providers is having a disproportionate effect on the nation’s most underserved students. This in-depth report presents the latest research from school districts in rural America, along with the challenges they face and a guide for how to open up opportunities for students with special needs.