Can Personalized Learning Defray the Cost of Special Education?

Special education costs nearly twice as much as regular classroom education, but early intervention can decrease special education costs by 40 percent. Scrapping the one-size-fits-all education system we have today and replacing it with an individualized approach may be just what’s needed to meet every students’ needs and maximize student success.

Special education aims to meet students’ individual needs.

In a personalized learning setting, students—including those with disabilities—receive a customized learning experience, can learn at their own pace, and in alignment with their interests, needs, and skills.

According to the National Council for Learning and Disabilities, personalized learning offers a way for students with disabilities to get more student-centered attention. They offer five benefits of personalized learning for special education:

1. Increases student engagement and achievement
2. Encourages a growth mindset
3. Builds decision-making and self-advocacy skills
4. Reduces the stigma of special education
5. Gives students who think differently multiple ways to show what they have learned

Resources to learn more:

• The National Council for Learning and Disabilities offers policy and practice recommendations for personalized learning.
• Check out this Personalization vs. Differentiation vs. Individualization chart, which helps define and distinguish personalized learning as a student centered approach to education.
• See our Issues and Resources page on Personalized Learning to learn more about personalized learning, what is happening in Delaware, and how it can help all students.