DATA SNAPSHOT FEBRUARY 2024 - Profile of Students with Disabilities in U.S. Public Schools During the 2020-21 School Year

Oct 15, 2026

Data Snapshot February 2024 profiles students with disabilities in U.S. public schools during the 2020-21 school year using the 2020-21 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC). It outlines how students receive services under Section 504 and the IDEA, reports 8.4 million students with disabilities and their enrollment shares, and highlights differences by disability type, race/ethnicity, sex, and English-learner status. It also summarizes course-taking patterns for IDEA-served students and discusses school climate indicators such as harassment or bullying.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

About the Civil Rights Data Collection

Educational Services for Students with Disabilities

Student Enrollment

Student Enrollment by Disability and Race/Ethnicity

Student Enrollment by Disability and Sex

English Learners with Disabilities

Course-Taking by Students with Disabilities

Enrollment Rates in High School Mathematics, Science, and Computer Science

School Climate for & Discipline of Students with Disabilities

Students with Disabilities Reported as Harassed or Bullied

DATA SNAPSHOT FEBRUARY 2024 Profle of Students with Disabilities in U.S. Public Schools During the 2020-21 School Year 2020-21 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) U.S. Department of Education O˜ce for Civil Rights About the Civil Rights Data Collection The Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) is a mandatory survey of all public schools and school districts in the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It gathers information about student access to educational programs, activities, sta˜, and school climate factors from public schools serving students in preschool through 12th grade. For more information about the CRDC or to download the full 2020-21 CRDC public-use data fle, please visit [https://civilrightsdata.ed.gov](https://civilrightsdata.ed.gov). Educational Services for Students with Disabilities Students with disabilities can receive educational services under two Federal laws: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504)1 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA) .2 Section 504 prohibits disability discrimination and ensures that students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities, including a free appropriate public education for public school students in grades K-12 . In the education context, this law applies to schools that receive Federal fnancial assistance and is enforced by the U. S. Department of Education's O˛ce for Civil Rights. The IDEA Part B program ensures that a free appropriate public education is available to all eligible children with disabilities between the ages of 3 through 21 years, who reside in a State, with a few specifc exceptions. The IDEA is administered by the U. S. Department of Education’s O˛ce of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, O˛ce of Special Education Programs. STUDENT ENROLLMENT There were a total of 8.4 million students with disabilities enrolled in the nation's public schools during the 2020-21 school year. Students with disabilities accounted for 17% of the overall student enrollment: 14% were served under IDEA and 3% were served only under Section 504. 49.2 Million Overall student enrollment 6.8 Million Students with disabilities served under IDEA 1.6 Million Students with disabilities served under Section 504 only FIGURE 1 Student Enrollment by Disability and Race/Ethnicity White Black or African American Hispanic or Latino of any race Asian American Indian or Alaska Native Native Hawaiian or Other Pacifc Islander Two or more races Figure 1 shows that in the 2020-21 school year, White students were overrepresented in the receipt of services under Section 504. White students represented 46% of total student enrollment, but 60% of students with disabilities served only under Section 504. Black students were overrepresented in the receipt of services under IDEA. Black students represented 15% of total student enrollment, but 17% of students with disabilities who received services under IDEA. FIGURE 2 Student Enrollment by Disability and Sex GIRLS BOYS Overall Student Enrollment Students with Disabilities Served under Section 504 only Students with Disabilities served under IDEA BOYS accounted for the majority of students with disabilities enrolled in the nation's public schools. FIGURE 3 English Learners with Disabilities In the 2020-21 school year, 5.2 million English learner (EL) students, 11% of the overall student enrollment, attended the nation's public schools. Twelve percent of students with disabilities served under IDEA and 5% of students with disabilities served only under Section 504 were EL students. COURSE-TAKING BY STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Students with Disabilities Served Under IDEA Accounted for of students enrolled in Advanced Placement Courses1 3% 4% of students enrolled in Gifted and Talented Programs2 of students enrolled in Dual Enrollment or Dual Credit Programs3 1

FAQs

What is the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) and what does it measure?

The CRDC is a mandatory survey of public schools and districts. It gathers information on student access to educational programs and activities, staffing, and school climate factors from preschool through 12th grade.

How can students with disabilities receive educational services under federal law?

Students can receive services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Section 504 addresses disability discrimination and access, while IDEA’s Part B provides a free appropriate public education for eligible children aged 3 to 21.

How many students with disabilities were enrolled in 2020-21, and how were they served?

A total of 8.4 million students with disabilities were enrolled in public schools in 2020-21. Students with disabilities were 17% of overall enrollment, with 14% served under IDEA and 3% served only under Section 504.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jordan Avery