![Special Education Costs Rise for Minnesota Schools](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/04/School.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Special Education Costs Rise for Minnesota Schools
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ The rising cost of special education in Minnesota is contributing to a dispute over emergency funding for schools during the last full week of the legislative session.
Reports that districts spent $2.2 billion on special education last year, up 26 percent in a decade.
More than 141,000 students receive services for things like physical impairments, learning disabilities and behavioral issues. About 16 percent of Minnesota students received services last year, an increase of 1.3 percentage points in a decade.
Schools complain that the state mandates certain costs without covering them. Districts are billed for special education students who live in the area, even if they attend a charter school or go to another school district.
Some districts have begun sharing resources and services in an attempt to reduce costs.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![What You Need To Know Before Coming To Pierz Freedom Fest!](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-GettyImages-2157706745.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![How Much Minnesotans Pay For Energy Usage, Compared](http://townsquare.media/site/66/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Yum Or Yuck? Iconic Minnesota Brand Just Released Its Newest Flavor](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-hannes-johnson-via-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Good Directions? The ‘Charlie’s Cafe’ House In Freeport Is Gone](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-Google-Maps-Freeport.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tick Alert: Lone Star Species Poses New Health Risks in Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-Image-Credit-Weston-M-and-Erik-Karits-via-Unsplash-and-CANVA.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Kid’s Like To Fish? This Local Retailer Is Hosting A Kid’s Fishing Day](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-Fleet-Farm-Google-Maps.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Chris Lane Set To ‘Par-Tee’ It Up & Perform At This Year’s 3M Open](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-GettyImages-2151506270.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Motorist Cited After Being Caught Going 106MPH](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-Image-Credit-Canva-Kenny-Eliason-via-Unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Local Bar Looking For ‘Sexy Fat Men’ & Incredibly Dirty Vehicles](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-Image-Credit-Canva-ehimetalor-akhere-unuabona-via-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)