English Learners With Disabilities (October 2023)

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B, state educational agencies (SEAs) and school districts are responsible for locating, identifying, and evaluating all students, including English learners with disabilities (ELSWD) who need special education and related services. During school year (SY) 2020–21, 13.4% of students ages 5–21 enrolled in U.S. public schools were served under IDEA Part B. Of those students, 11.9% were English learners (ELs).v That same year, ELs composed 10.1% of all students enrolled in K–12.