[sphinx]

You are correct. Our public schools are lavishly funded. If I recall correctly, however, about 40% of our total school budget goes for special ed. We are one of the many places where special ed has become a fiscal black hole.

Not that that's the only problem with our schools ....

[ikanakattara]

If I recall correctly, however, about 40% of our total school budget goes for special ed.

That's pretty characteristic of large-city school districts. Those with poorer kids, minority kids, etc. are going to have more kids needing special ed services (think crack babies who are hitting the grade schools right now.) These services are phenomenally expensive to deliver. For instance, the teacher's aides and intensive instruction for one autistic child can top $100,000 per year. (By the way, your average parochial school or private academy won't even admit these children, much less provide the services they need.)