Key facts
- New York City spends over $1 billion annually on private school tuition, related services, and other costs for special education students.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration is expanding specialized programs and adding staff to reduce evaluation delays.
- The city is investing in preschool special education.
- Mamdani projects $149 million in annual savings from changes in special education management.
- Spending on due process claims (Carter cases) rose from $47 million in 2005 to $312 million in FY16, exceeding $1 billion last year.
New York City is grappling with escalating costs for special education services, with annual spending now exceeding $1 billion. This significant expenditure comes at a time when the city faces persistent budget deficits, threatening Mayor Zohran Mamdani's policy initiatives. The administration's strategy involves bolstering the city's capacity to provide these services internally, aiming to reduce reliance on private schools and litigation.