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Special Education Advocates Request Special Task Force To Study Funding

Special Education Teacher.
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Special education advocates in Oklahoma asked lawmakers to consider creating a statewide special task force to address special education and the way it is funded in the state.

The group made their request Tuesday during an interim study at the State Capitol before the House Appropriations and Budget subcommittee on Common Education.

IS-H14-067 was requested by Rep. Ann Coody, R-Lawton, and chairwoman of the full House committee on Common Education.

Andrea Kunkel, Director of the Oklahoma Directors of Special Services, said Tuesday the conversation surrounding how special education is funded needs to be revived and extensively studied.

Those testifying said federal funding which has decreased over the last several decades now accounts for a small percentage of the dollars needed for special education, and local funding needed to meet requirements takes money away from other general funding. They also expressed concern for the retention of the special education teachers who face daily challenges.

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