English Learners with Disabilities (August 2021)

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), state educational agencies (SEAs) and school districts are responsible for locating, identifying, and evaluating all students, including English learners (ELs), who have disabilities1 and who need special education and related services2 because of their disability.3 During school year (SY) 2017–18, nearly 12.0%4 of all students ages 6 through 21 enrolled in U.S. public schools were served under IDEA Part B. Of those students, 11.2%5 were ELs. That same year, ELs comprised 10.0%6 of all students enrolled in K–12.