Separate classrooms, more staff: How CPS is coping with a staggering rise in special ed needs and costs

July 19, 2026 - 04:57

The Chicago Public Schools system is now spending nearly double what it did in 2019 on special education services, a financial shift that is reshaping how the district operates. With a sharp rise in students requiring individualized support, CPS has had to hire more staff and create separate classrooms to manage the growing demand. But the cost of these changes is hitting local taxpayers hard, as state and federal funding has not kept pace.

District officials report that the number of students with complex needs has climbed steadily since the pandemic, straining resources that were already tight. To cope, CPS has expanded its use of self-contained classrooms for students who need more intensive support, rather than keeping them in general education settings. This approach requires additional teachers, aides, and therapists, driving up personnel costs.

The financial burden is significant. CPS is spending roughly 1.8 times what it did five years ago on special education, with much of that increase funded by local property taxes. State and federal contributions cover only a fraction of the actual cost, leaving the district to fill the gap. Critics argue that this puts pressure on other programs, including arts and extracurriculars, as the budget must stretch further.

Parents and advocates have mixed reactions. Some welcome the increased staffing and smaller class sizes for students with disabilities, saying it provides necessary attention. Others worry that separating students into distinct classrooms limits their interaction with peers and may not prepare them for inclusive environments later in life. CPS officials say they are balancing these concerns while trying to meet legal obligations under federal law.

The district is also exploring new training for general education teachers to handle a wider range of needs in the classroom, but progress is slow. Without a major boost in state or federal aid, Chicago taxpayers will likely continue to shoulder the rising costs. As the student population with special needs grows, the question of how to fund these services sustainably remains unresolved.