Funding for Special Education Needs
Alberta Education provides funding to school boards, private school operators, and charter school operators so that they can deliver programs and services for students and children identified with special education needs. School authorities allocate the funding to support the local programs and services they choose to offer. School authorities also make decisions regarding class size, staffing levels, resources and materials. Alberta Education does not provide additional funding for special education in home education programs.
Detailed information about funding for special education needs is found in the Funding Manual for School Authorities.
Students Who Have Mild/Moderate Disabilities or Who Are Gifted and Talented
Funding for students identified with mild/moderate disabilities or as gifted and talented is included in the base instructional funding for all students.
Students with Severe Disabilities
Funding to meet the special education needs of students identified with severe disabilities is provided to school jurisdictions based on a jurisdiction profile, a figure that was established collaboratively with each school jurisdiction and Alberta Education in 2001/2002. Each year, school jurisdictions receive an increase in the grant rate and an increase to accommodate student growth in their jurisdiction profile. Severe disabilities funding for students attending charter or private schools is approved on an individual basis.
Handbook for the Identification and Review of Students with Severe Disabilities
Designed to assist school authority personnel with the identification and review of students with severe disabilities, it covers each category of severe disability, giving the criteria, questions and answers, and a case study with sample student review forms.2009/2010 Student Monitoring Forms for Severe Disabilities Funding in MS-Word format.
Designated Special Education Private Schools
A Designated Special Education Private School (DSEPS) is a private school given special approval and funding by Alberta Education to serve students diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe disabilities. Funding guidelines for DSEPS are included in the Funding Manual. The Funding Manual glossary contains a list of DSEPS.
Early Childhood Services Program Unit Funding
Program Unit Funding (PUF) is provided to approved early childhood services (ECS) operators for children with severe disabilities who require support beyond that offered in regular ECS programs. The ECS Special Education Handbook explains the basic funding requirements and how to complete the application forms. For complete information on funding, see the Funding Manual.
Other Funding
- Children and Youth with Complex Needs
Inter-ministerial funding is provided to Regional Integrated Case Management Teams, who determine on a case-by-case basis the funding for each eligible child or student. - Student Health
Some funding for students with special health needs is provided through the Government of Alberta's Student Health.
