Washington, D.C. is working on its budget for Fiscal Year 2026, and there’s a real chance to make serious progress on services for students with disabilities. Meanwhile, just next door, Maryland has already made some solid moves. Governor Wes Moore signed Maryland’s FY 2026 budget into law on May 20, 2025, and it includes some important wins for special education.
D.C.’s budget process has been slower this year, after a delay tied to a $1.1 billion cut in the city’s FY 2025 budget authority, due to Congressional interference. Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced the “Grow DC” budget on May 27, 2025. The D.C. Council is reviewing the proposal now, with two major votes set for July 14 and July 28, 2025.
That means there’s still time for D.C. to make real improvements—or even take the lead—on special education services. Here’s what D.C. could put in the budget to better support special education; some of which Maryland is already doing.
What D.C. Should Add to Its 2026 Budget for Special Ed
More Money Where Its Needed Most—Tiered Funding
D.C. bumped up its per-student funding last year, which is great, but that’s just a start. Not all special education students need the same kind of support, and those with more complex needs often require more services. D.C. should move towards tiered funding, where funding increases per student are based on the level of support each student needs.
Maryland is considering this too, through legislation called House Bill 504. It hasn’t passed yet, so D.C. could actually take the lead on this one and show what equitable funding looks like in action.
An Independent IEP Watchdog Official or Office
D.C. has a long history of not delivering the services written in students’ IEPs (Individualized Education Programs). That’s a serious problem. Right now, there are ways to report issues, but no independent official or office that tracks what is being delivered and what is not. Electing an Independent IEP Official or creating an independent IEP accountability office that regularly reports to the public (possibly quarterly), would be a game changer.
While this position will not be implemented and funded in this budget, the Decision to elect an independent IEP official or establish an independent IEP accountability office should be added to the FY 2026 budget, with the goal of electing and fully funding the official or office in FY 2027.
Maryland doesn’t have one either, so again, D.C. could lead the way here.
Transfers Between DC Public Schools and DC Charter Schools
Lots of students in D.C. move between DC Public Schools (DCPS) and DC Public Charter Schools. When that happens, special education plans (IEPs or 504 Plans) sometimes get lost in the shuffle. D.C. needs a special education transition plan to make sure services don’t fall through the cracks when kids switch between the two school systems.
Maryland has smoother coordination between county school systems because of statewide rules. D.C. can create its own version to better protect students and families.
A Pandemic Recovery Fund for Students with Disabilities
Let’s not forget: students with disabilities missed out on a lot during the pandemic—services were delayed, there were staffing shortages, and virtual learning didn’t meet many of their needs. D.C. has talked about compensatory education, which advocacy groups have pushed for, but it hasn’t created a dedicated recovery fund for students with disabilities.
A fund like this could pay for tutoring, speech therapy, summer programs, and more. Neither DC nor Maryland has this, and it’s something bothshould seriously consider.
What Maryland’s Already Doing in 2026
Maryland is making some quality moves for the upcoming fiscal year:
It increased special education funding by 43% over last year—to about $66.2 million.
It’s getting $262 million in federal funding for students with disabilities. (My trust in the federal government is at an all-time low due to it cutting over 270, 000 jobs this year in an arbitrary and heartless manner, so I’ll have to wait for this to happen before I completely believe it).
It’s considering HB 504, a proposed new law that would change how special education funding is distributed—and prioritize those with the most extensive needs.
These changes are part of the “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future,” a long-term education reform law passed in 2021, focusing on school equity, quality, and accountability.
What Maryland and DC Could Both Do Better
Even with its progress, Maryland’s is far from done. A few things that both Maryland and DC could do better or next are:
Build a public dashboard that tracks IEP compliance, staffing, and student outcomes.
Offer higher pay and better benefits to recruit and keep special education teachers—especially in rural or under-resourced areas.
Invest more in inclusive classrooms, like sensory spaces and co-teaching setups between general and special education teachers.
Moving Forward
Right now, D.C. has a chance to step up. Maryland’s already made its move with a solid budget—but it can still do much more. If D.C. truly wants to support students with disabilities, it needs to back that commitment with real funding and oversight in the FY 2026 budget.
This isn’t just about money—it’s about making sure every student gets the education and services they need to succeed.
FY 2026 Budget: D.C.’s Chance to Step Up for Special Education—or Fall Further Behind Maryland
By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq.
Washington, D.C. is working on its budget for Fiscal Year 2026, and there’s a real chance to make serious progress on services for students with disabilities. Meanwhile, just next door, Maryland has already made some solid moves. Governor Wes Moore signed Maryland’s FY 2026 budget into law on May 20, 2025, and it includes some important wins for special education.
D.C.’s budget process has been slower this year, after a delay tied to a $1.1 billion cut in the city’s FY 2025 budget authority, due to Congressional interference. Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced the “Grow DC” budget on May 27, 2025. The D.C. Council is reviewing the proposal now, with two major votes set for July 14 and July 28, 2025.
That means there’s still time for D.C. to make real improvements—or even take the lead—on special education services. Here’s what D.C. could put in the budget to better support special education; some of which Maryland is already doing.
What D.C. Should Add to Its 2026 Budget for Special Ed
D.C. bumped up its per-student funding last year, which is great, but that’s just a start. Not all special education students need the same kind of support, and those with more complex needs often require more services. D.C. should move towards tiered funding, where funding increases per student are based on the level of support each student needs.
Maryland is considering this too, through legislation called House Bill 504. It hasn’t passed yet, so D.C. could actually take the lead on this one and show what equitable funding looks like in action.
D.C. has a long history of not delivering the services written in students’ IEPs (Individualized Education Programs). That’s a serious problem. Right now, there are ways to report issues, but no independent official or office that tracks what is being delivered and what is not. Electing an Independent IEP Official or creating an independent IEP accountability office that regularly reports to the public (possibly quarterly), would be a game changer.
While this position will not be implemented and funded in this budget, the Decision to elect an independent IEP official or establish an independent IEP accountability office should be added to the FY 2026 budget, with the goal of electing and fully funding the official or office in FY 2027.
Maryland doesn’t have one either, so again, D.C. could lead the way here.
Lots of students in D.C. move between DC Public Schools (DCPS) and DC Public Charter Schools. When that happens, special education plans (IEPs or 504 Plans) sometimes get lost in the shuffle. D.C. needs a special education transition plan to make sure services don’t fall through the cracks when kids switch between the two school systems.
Maryland has smoother coordination between county school systems because of statewide rules. D.C. can create its own version to better protect students and families.
Let’s not forget: students with disabilities missed out on a lot during the pandemic—services were delayed, there were staffing shortages, and virtual learning didn’t meet many of their needs. D.C. has talked about compensatory education, which advocacy groups have pushed for, but it hasn’t created a dedicated recovery fund for students with disabilities.
A fund like this could pay for tutoring, speech therapy, summer programs, and more. Neither DC nor Maryland has this, and it’s something both should seriously consider.
What Maryland’s Already Doing in 2026
Maryland is making some quality moves for the upcoming fiscal year:
These changes are part of the “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future,” a long-term education reform law passed in 2021, focusing on school equity, quality, and accountability.
What Maryland and DC Could Both Do Better
Even with its progress, Maryland’s is far from done. A few things that both Maryland and DC could do better or next are:
Moving Forward
Right now, D.C. has a chance to step up. Maryland’s already made its move with a solid budget—but it can still do much more. If D.C. truly wants to support students with disabilities, it needs to back that commitment with real funding and oversight in the FY 2026 budget.
This isn’t just about money—it’s about making sure every student gets the education and services they need to succeed.
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