According to a July 5, 2026 announcement that many missed due to the holiday weekend, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) is planning to make changes to a federal rule that requires states and districts to measure racial disparities in special education. Known as the Equity in IDEA regulation, the rule requires that school districts be measured for racial disparities in special education annually in 14 categories. Such data determines if a district is significantly disproportionate.
Districts deemed significantly disproportionate must reserve 15% of their federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part B funds for programs that remedy racial disparities and biases, including for initiatives that support all students and students at risk of needing special education services.
The IDEA requirement to address significant disproportionality has been in place for more than 20 years to combat racial disparities in identification, discipline, and segregation.
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