The mechanism for funding special education in Arizona has not been adjusted in more than 20 years.

This despite a twofold increase in students diagnosed on the autism spectrum between 2007 and 2017 and a spending gap of nearly $100 million uncovered during an audit 13 years ago has yet to be addressed.

Republican state Sen. Sylvia Allen of Snowflake introduced a bill that would boost special education funding for Arizona students.

The Show spoke with Anabel Aportela, director of research and student achievement analysis at the Arizona Association of School Business Officials, about the need for special education resources.

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