SD3 - The Ratios of Students with Individualized Education Plans in Virginia School Divisions to the General Student Population


Executive Summary:
Pursuant to the requirements of SJR 305, the Department of Education reviewed data on student enrollments, both in the regular education student population and the special education student population. Ratios were computed of the number of students with IEPs in each Virginia school division to the general student population in that division. A statewide ratio was also computed.

According to these calculations, the ratios of students with IEPs to those in the general population range from 1:3 to 1:10. The statewide ratio is 1:7. The ratios of students with IEPs to the total number of students ranged from 1:4 to 1:11.

However, these calculations do not take into account all of the students who are receiving special education, related services, and/or accommodations under another federal law other than IDEA that does not require IEPs. Additionally, the data does not compare students of comparable age groups. Students who have IEPs may be between the ages of 0 and 22, and those in regular education may be between 5 and 20. Therefore, the number of students with IEPs may be larger because it includes students who may be below the age of 5 and above the age of 20.