This report presents a multi-year overview of special education placement patterns in New Jersey from 2020 to 2024, focusing on students with disabilities ages 5–21. Using publicly available data from the New Jersey Department of Education, it tracks the percentage of students placed in out-of-school settings—such as separate schools, residential facilities, and home/hospital instruction—across a range of demographic groups.

The dashboard includes annual trends by disability category, race and ethnicity, gender, and English learner (LEP) status. It is designed to offer a consistent view of placement rates over time, while also accounting for limitations in earlier reporting years.

With ongoing national conversations around potential updates to IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) guidance, having access to clear, longitudinal state-level data can help educators, families, and policymakers better understand how placement decisions are evolving—and where additional support or review may be helpful.

PDF Version of Report:”Out-of-School Placement Rates in NJ Special Education: By Year and Subgroup”

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