Education
Students Receiving Special Education Services

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Source: New York State Education Department

What does this measure?

Percent of school-aged residents (4-21) classified with disabilities and receiving special education services.

Why is this important?

Students receiving special education services can be at greater risk for poor school performance, including lower test scores and a higher chance of dropping out. The proportion of students in special education can significantly impact a school district's budget, and it can be an indicator of the effectiveness of intervention programs aimed at addressing problems in early years and preventing students from being classified with disabilities.

How is our region performing?

In 2020, 9% of school-aged residents in our region were receiving special education services. This proportion was slightly lower than both the state (12%) and the state (excluding NYC) proportion (10%). Since 2008, the state, regional and county rates have remained relatively flat. The regional county rates ranged from 6% to 11% in 2020. Monroe, Ontario and Orleans (all at 10%), and Wayne (11%) have higher rates than other local counties, while Yates has the lowest rate (6% in 2020). The City of Rochester's rate was 13% in 2020, and has increased by only 2 points since 2008.

Notes about the data

Varying school district practices on classifying students as disabled can impact the numbers. Also, school districts known for effective special education programs may attract more students with disabilities.

Students Receiving Special Education Services
20082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
NYS9%9%9%9%9%9%10%10%11%11%12%12%12%N/A
NYS (excluding NYC)9%9%9%8%9%9%9%9%10%10%10%10%10%N/A
Region8%8%8%8%8%8%8%8%9%9%9%9%9%N/A
Monroe8%8%9%9%9%8%8%9%9%9%9%10%10%N/A
Surrounding Counties8%8%8%8%8%7%7%8%8%8%9%9%9%N/A
Genesee8%8%8%8%7%7%7%7%8%7%8%8%8%N/A
Livingston6%6%6%5%5%5%6%6%6%6%7%7%7%N/A
Ontario9%9%8%8%8%8%8%8%9%9%9%10%10%N/A
Orleans9%9%9%9%9%8%8%8%9%10%10%10%10%N/A
Seneca10%10%10%9%9%9%8%9%9%9%9%9%9%N/A
Wayne9%10%9%9%9%9%9%9%9%10%10%11%11%N/A
Wyoming6%7%7%7%6%6%6%6%7%7%7%7%7%N/A
Yates7%7%7%6%6%6%6%6%6%6%6%6%6%N/A
Monroe County School Districts
Rochester School District11%11%11%11%12%11%11%11%12%13%13%13%13%N/A
Brighton Central School District10%10%11%12%11%11%11%11%12%12%13%13%13%N/A
Brockport Central School District7%7%6%6%6%6%6%6%6%6%6%7%7%N/A
Churchville-Chili Central School District8%8%8%8%7%8%7%8%8%8%8%8%8%N/A
East Irondequoit Central School District9%9%9%8%8%8%8%8%7%7%8%8%9%N/A
East Rochester Union Free School District,12%12%11%11%9%9%9%9%9%10%11%11%11%N/A
Fairport Central School District9%9%9%10%10%10%9%9%9%10%10%9%9%N/A
Gates-Chili Central School District11%11%11%11%11%11%11%11%11%11%11%11%11%N/A
Greece Central School District7%8%8%8%8%8%8%8%8%9%9%9%10%N/A
Hilton Central School District7%7%6%6%7%6%6%7%7%8%8%9%9%N/A
Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School District8%7%7%7%7%8%8%8%9%8%8%8%9%N/A
West Irondequoit Central School District7%7%6%6%6%6%7%7%8%9%9%9%10%N/A
Penfield Central School District7%7%7%6%6%6%6%6%7%7%7%8%8%N/A
Pittsford Central School District5%5%5%5%5%6%6%6%6%7%7%7%8%N/A
Rush-Henrietta Central School District4%4%4%4%4%4%3%4%4%4%4%4%5%N/A
Spencerport Central School District8%8%8%8%8%8%8%9%9%9%9%9%9%N/A
Webster Central School District8%8%7%7%7%7%7%7%7%6%7%7%7%N/A
Wheatland-Chili Central School District11%11%11%10%11%10%9%9%9%8%9%10%9%N/A
Regional City School Districts
Batavia School District7%7%8%7%7%7%7%8%8%8%8%8%8%N/A
Canandaigua School District10%10%10%9%9%9%9%9%9%10%10%11%11%N/A
Geneva School District8%8%7%7%6%6%6%6%7%7%7%8%7%N/A

Source: New York State Education Department
Notes: Figures reflect percentage of residents 4-21 receiving services.




Number of Students Receiving Special Education Services
20082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
NYS409,856404,902420,653396,152410,037405,191415,722450,048459,562465,590482,143489,491498,486497,231
NYS (excluding NYC)249,905246,862245,424225,909236,316231,030236,789239,347242,639245,420246,994251,002253,586249,503
Region25,14424,99024,69224,17523,55222,84522,52122,70123,13423,65524,01424,28224,54123,862
Monroe15,83015,77415,71715,60215,26914,82614,63614,67714,96115,34415,53215,75116,02615,552
Surrounding Counties9,3149,2168,9758,5738,2838,0197,8858,0248,1738,3118,4828,5318,5158,310
Genesee1,1891,1721,1061,032983933880917925907915905928912
Livingston9999789859469409239419701,0141,0181,0271,0121,016988
Ontario2,2632,2112,1672,1222,0582,0092,0102,0602,0662,1362,2622,3272,3612,302
Orleans907874872848832774732725791794802783772761
Seneca750767763681649651603604623643631643624592
Wayne2,1642,1592,0531,9651,8921,8411,8301,8621,8641,9301,9681,9921,9581,924
Wyoming591605590576547510511506505513515525529517
Yates451450439403382378378380385370362344327314
Monroe County School Districts
Rochester School District6,0056,1616,2716,3286,3475,9875,9225,9006,1566,3536,4006,4676,4826,102
Brighton Central School District526520537582512508507515534569583589579557
Brockport Central School District608592577541524527495483455454469524531543
Churchville-Chili Central School District571546539526489492473496482473486459459433
East Irondequoit Central School District474471462408380361372372341321343368381380
East Rochester Union Free School District,244228216215170167165161161174194191190188
Fairport Central School District866843847872896866816781794821801712713701
Gates-Chili Central School District756742725728723718707711690696678658637629
Greece Central School District1,3521,4071,4431,4231,3511,3901,3741,3601,3771,4081,4341,4871,5371,512
Hilton Central School District470433408392397383384413420433463482506524
Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School District284263258263264275296286290276273280282283
West Irondequoit Central School District361349326319308308323351392401408410437440
Penfield Central School District463459459416403400380385405443432451479461
Pittsford Central School District553540540544533539556567582616632667717728
Rush-Henrietta Central School District643613588557556542515524550602603630670660
Spencerport Central School District472440440461454445454470469462458461478474
Webster Central School District1,0561,040957907841807800805771756781813852837
Wheatland-Chili Central School District126127124120121111979792869410296100
Regional City School Districts
Batavia School District281295303283281272263274275264266260268267
Canandaigua School District585567567540528520504518511531547567587572
Geneva School District403395342354320287288288307314345350332335

Source: New York State Education Department
Notes: Figures reflect number of residents 4-21 receiving services.











Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS


INDICATORS - Grouped by Topic REGIONAL VALUE YEAR NYS COMPARISON TREND | REGION
Prenatal Care 78% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Prenatal Care, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights 8.4% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Infant Mortality Rate 6.9 2017-19 2 0
Maintaining
Infant Mortality Rate, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels 0.8% 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Children in Poverty 18% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Children in Poverty, Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Single-Parent Families 39% 2017-21 2 1
Increasing
Single-Parent Families, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Rate of Child Abuse and Neglect 20 2020 2 1
Increasing
Rate of Foster Care Admissions 1.8 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Pregnancy 1.3% 2019 3 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Births 12 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Tourism Spending $1,399 2021 1 0
Maintaining
Recreation Spending $83 2021 1 -1
Decreasing
Voter Registration Rate 84% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Voter Participation Rate 64% 2020 3 1
Increasing
Registered Library Borrowers 55% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Library Visits 2.5 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Charitable Contributions as a Percentage of Income 0.8% 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Households Without Vehicles 10% 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Total Population 1.4% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Age 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Workers’ Commute Time, by Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Pedestrians 2.6 2022 3 0
Maintaining
Population by Age and Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Cyclists 1.4 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Disengaged Youth, Ages 16 to 19 6% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Crashes Resulting in Injuries and Fatalities 60 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income $64,995 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) 24 2022 2 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Miles of Dedicated Bike Infrastructure 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty 13% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
RTS Ridership 8 2022 0 -1
Decreasing
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
RTS On-time Performance 0 10 Not Applicable*
Greenhouse Gas Emissions 23.7 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Public Assistance Recipients 1.2% 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Energy Burden of Households 0 10 Not Applicable*
Approval Rate for Public Assistance Applications 22% 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Females Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Solar Energy Capacity 122.8 2022 3 1
Increasing
Seniors Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Households Receiving SNAP 13% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Households Receiving SNAP by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Female Seniors Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gas Usage for Household Heating 74% 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Workforce 4.7% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Tax Filers Receiving Earned Income Tax Credit 14% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Communities 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
EITC Dollars $153 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Electric Vehicles (EV) Charging Ports 165 2023 0 -1
Decreasing
Change in Total Jobs 2.3% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Asthma Hospitalizations 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Number of Business Establishments by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts 35% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Jobs by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts in Low-Income Areas 20% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Sector Shares of Regional Total Employment 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Unemployment Rate 4.9% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Average Salary by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 12% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Employment-to-Population Ratio 59% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Prekindergarten Participation 41% 2021 2 1
Increasing
School Spending Per Student $23,561 2020 1 1
Increasing
Instructional Spending Per Student $16,983 2020 1 1
Increasing
Students Receiving Special Education Services 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Grade 3 English 37% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 English by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 English by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math 40% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 Math by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English 39% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Grade 8 English by Student Subgroup 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English by Race/Ethnicity 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 Math 49% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Regents Algebra 1 73% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Regents English 83% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate 88% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Cohort Graduation Rate, Beyond Four Years 90% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Without Health Insurance 5% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Supply of Doctors 35.3 2019 1 1
Increasing
Mortality Rate 693 2019 1 -1
Decreasing
Chlamydia Rate 53 2020 2 1
Increasing
Chlamydia Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rate 37 2020 1 1
Increasing
Maternal Health, by Race/Ethnicity 2018-20 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Early Syphilis Rates 2.8 2020 3 1
Increasing
Early Syphilis Rates within Monroe County, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with HIV 105 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with HIV by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with AIDS 124 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with AIDS by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Percent of Days with Good Air Quality 0 10 Not Applicable*
Alcohol-related Crashes 2.7 2021 2 -1
Decreasing
Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment by Primary Substance 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Median Home Value $151,405 2017-21 1 1
Increasing
Median Rental Prices $936 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Homeowners 2.3 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Housing Affordability for Homeowners by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Overall Housing Cost Burden 28% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters 32% 2017-21 3 10 Not Applicable*
Rent Burdened Households 48% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Homeownership Rate 68% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Homeownership Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Vacant Housing Units 9% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Homeless Persons 0 10 Not Applicable*
Serious Crimes 165 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Violent Crimes 25 2021 3 1
Increasing
Victims of Domestic Violence 59 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates 10.0 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Arrest Rates 125.2 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Arrest Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Per-Capita Spending for Local Government $3,731 2019 0 1
Increasing
Female to Male Earnings Ratio 0.70 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
*No or multiple regional values for this indicator


Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS





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