The Special Education Costs of Low Birthweight. NBER Working Paper Series

This paper investigates the relationship between low birthweight, enrollment in special education, and special education costs in the United States. The study used a national sample of approximately 8,000 children ages 6 to 15 from the 1988 National Health Interview Survey. The study held constant many of the social, economic, and family factors which are thought to be related to special education. Analysis indicated that children who weigh less than 2,500 grams at birth are almost 50% more likely to be enrolled in any type of special education than children who are of normal weight at birth. At an incremental cost of special education (1989-1990) of $4,350 per student, this results in an incremental cost of special education of $370.8 million per year due to low birthweight, holding other characteristics constant. (Contains 37 references.) (JDD)