Special education support gaps strain schools in Thames Valley, Chicago, Indiana, Dudley, Idaho

Across various regions in the U.S. and the U.K., special education programs are struggling due to insufficient funding, staffing shortages, and systemic challenges. In Thames Valley, financial deficits and a stagnant number of permanent educational assistants have left many special needs students without timely support, raising safety and human rights concerns. Chicago Public Schools cut hundreds of special education positions, only to add some back weeks into the school year, resulting in students not receiving legally required services and causing significant distress among families and educators. In Indianapolis, a charter network known for strong test scores faces criticism for suspending students with disabilities at rates three times higher than the state average, highlighting tensions between strict disciplinary policies and accommodating special needs. Dudley in the U.K. experiences funding disparities that force schools to stretch budgets and shortchange vulnerable pupils, with local leaders calling for a review of financial formulas and payment systems. Meanwhile, in Idaho, parents are increasingly filing lawsuits against the state for failing to meet special education obligations, citing a lack of money and personnel as barriers to adequate care.