WHEREAS the Ministry of Education funds school districts primarily on a pupil basis and a funding formula that recognizes and considers the unique needs of different communities and school districts; AND WHEREAS the Ministry of Education has identified special needs education as a critical component of the education system that requires additional funding and enhancement: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Minister of Education be requested to increase the funding associated with special needs education to ensure school districts are provided the funds necessary to reflect the actual costs incurred in the education and mainstreaming of students with special needs.
Ministry of Education There are no plans at this time to change the approach to funding. The current funding system is designed to assist school districts in fulfilling their responsibilities for equitable access to educational programs for students with special needs. The Level 1, 2 and 3 funding recognizes there is a range of students identified within each level and provides school boards with the flexibility to determine the level of support provided. The Province of British Columbia Province provides more than a half a billion dollars each year in funding for students with special needs. The Province increased funding for levels 1, 2 and 3 special needs students in 20052006 by 2,000, 1,000 and 2,000, respectively. As a result of that increase, school districts received an estimated 270 million in 200506 for students with special needs - an increase of 28 million over 200405.