What are we spending on procedural safeguards in special education, 1999-2000? Special Education Expenditure Project (SEEP).

This report explores the fiscal implications of providing procedural safeguards in special education and is part of the Special Education Expenditure Project (SEEP), a national study utilizing 23 different surveys to collect data at the state, district, and school levels for the 1999-2000 school year. Highlighted findings address: (1) total expenditures on special education mediation, due process, and litigation; (2) percent of total special education expenditures; (3) per pupil spending; (4) per case spending; (5) number of mediation, due process, and litigation cases; (6) districts with procedural safeguard activity; (7) resolution of due process cases; and (8) perceptions of the cost-effectiveness of mediation versus due process. Among findings are the following: during the 1999-2000 school year, school districts spent at least 0.3% of total special education expenditures or $24 per special education pupil on due process, mediation, and litigation; due process hearings comprise the majority of procedural safeguard activities and 98% of such hearings are resolved; about half of litigation cases are resolved, usually in the school district's favor; procedural safeguard activity is concentrated in 38% of the nation's school districts, especially in urban and/or high income districts. Appendices provide methodological and statistical detail and the questionnaire. (ERIC)