@EdWorkingPaper{ai26-1606,
title = "Beyond the Special Education Gap: Differences in Special Education Expenditures Between Charter Schools and Traditional Public Schools",
author = "David E. DeMatthews, Jinseok Shin, Pedro Reyes",
number = "1606",
year = "2026",
month = "October",
URL = "http://www.edworkingpapers.com/ai26-1606",
abstract = {Researchers and policymakers have long noted differences in disability enrollment and placement between charter schools and traditional public schools (TPSs), yet little is known about whether these differences correspond to special education expenditures. Using Texas administrative and financial data from 2019-20 to 2024-25, we compare special education expenditures, disability composition, and educational placement across charter local education agencies (LEAs) and TPS districts. Charter LEAs spent less per student with a disability, enrolled lower proportions of students with disabilities, and served fewer students in restrictive placements. These differences persisted after adjusting for LEA characteristics, disability composition, and placement. In fully adjusted models, charter LEAs spent $2,329 less per student with a disability than TPS districts, expanding evidence on sectoral differences.},
}