Vermont Leads the Nation in Special Education Support Staffing, Inclusion, and Student Success, According to New National Report
Vermont Business Magazine New research from BlazerWorks reveals that Vermont is the #1 best state in the nation for special education — leading the country in inclusion, support staffing, and student success.
The State of Special Education Index analysed national education and health data across all 50 states to understand how well each supports students with disabilities. Vermont stands out at the top of the rankings, ahead of North Carolina and Maine.
In Vermont, nearly 80% of children with special health care needs participate in extracurricular activities — one of the highest involvement rates in the country.
The state also ranks in the top 10 nationally for peer relationships, early intervention, academic achievement, and investment in student support services.
The State of Special Education Index evaluated all 50 U.S. states based on ten key measures of access, quality, and outcomes, providing the most comprehensive look at how each state effectively serves students with special needs. The findings rank Vermont, North Carolina, and Maine as the best states for special education outcomes, while Nevada, Washington, and Idaho rank among the lowest.
The report also highlights how differences in early intervention, therapy access, and student support staffing are shaping the educational experiences of millions of children across the country.
Key Findings: How Vermont Ranks #1
· Extracurricular Inclusion: Ties for 4th place with 78.8% of children with special health care needs participating in organized activities, signaling a culture of inclusion that extends beyond the classroom.
· Peer Relationships: Ranks 5th nationally for children with learning disabilities or developmental conditions who report no difficulty making or keeping friends (53.4%), reflecting healthy social integration and emotional development.
· Student Support Staff: Ranks 5th for the proportion of student support personnel (10.84%), underscoring Vermont’s commitment to accessible, on-site professional resources for students.
· Student Support Spending: Ranks 7th nationally, with 8.01% of total public school expenditures dedicated to student support services such as counseling, psychological services, and speech therapy.
· Academic Success: Ranks 9th with 40.2% of students with mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral conditions receiving mostly A’s and B’s across all subjects—evidence of effective teaching and individualized attention.
· Early Intervention Plans: Ranks 9th (tied with Maine) with 50.5% of children with conditions such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder receiving early intervention support in school, ensuring students get the help they need as early as possible.
Top 10 States for Special Education
1. Vermont
2. North Carolina
3. Maine
4. Massachusetts
5. Texas
6. Oklahoma
7. Ohio
8. Connecticut
9. New Hampshire
10. South Dakota
“This data shows what’s possible when schools, families, and communities work together to create truly inclusive learning environments,” said Shirley Jones, Senior Vice President of BlazerWorks. “States like Vermont that invest in student support staff, early intervention, and consistent communication with families are seeing stronger academic and emotional outcomes for students with disabilities, and that’s something to celebrate and replicate nationwide.”
BlazerWorks is proud to partner with schools across the country to deliver exceptional support for students with diverse learning needs. To learn how we empower schools with specialized professionals and resources to help every child reach their full potential, and to view the full State of Special Education Index with rankings for all 50 states, go to: https://blazerworks.com/resources/best-states-for-special-education/.
How States Compare
| Rank | State | Total Score |
| 1 | Vermont | 69.69 |
| 2 | North Carolina | 62.87 |
| 3 | Maine | 62.80 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 62.16 |
| 5 | Texas | 58.87 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 58.66 |
| 7 | Ohio | 58.48 |
| 8 | Connecticut | 58.28 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 57.86 |
| 10 | South Dakota | 56.69 |
| 11 | Hawaii | 56.32 |
| 12 | Delaware | 54.94 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 54.91 |
| 14 | Georgia | 54.61 |
| 15 | Virginia | 54.02 |
| 16 | Kansas | 53.57 |
| 17 | New Mexico | 53.21 |
| 18 | Florida | 53.21 |
| 19 | Colorado | 50.46 |
| 20 | Arkansas | 50.31 |
| 21 | Illinois | 50.26 |
| 22 | West Virginia | 50.19 |
| 23 | Alabama | 50.12 |
| 24 | Montana | 49.96 |
| 25 | Michigan | 49.58 |
| 26 | Minnesota | 49.48 |
| 27 | Indiana | 48.73 |
| 28 | Missouri | 48.20 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | 47.03 |
| 30 | Iowa | 46.11 |
| 31 | South Carolina | 45.08 |
| 32 | Nebraska | 44.84 |
| 33 | Wyoming | 44.24 |
| 34 | Oregon | 44.21 |
| 35 | California | 43.79 |
| 36 | Louisiana | 43.43 |
| 37 | Tennessee | 42.31 |
| 38 | Rhode Island | 41.82 |
| 39 | Mississippi | 41.70 |
| 40 | Maryland | 41.06 |
| 41 | Kentucky | 40.78 |
| 42 | Arizona | 40.73 |
| 43 | North Dakota | 40.73 |
| 44 | Utah | 40.58 |
| 45 | New York | 40.36 |
| 46 | New Jersey | 39.09 |
| 47 | Alaska | 38.44 |
| 48 | Idaho | 37.78 |
| 49 | Washington | 33.12 |
| 50 | Nevada | 30.54 |
About the State of Special Education Index
The State of Special Education Index evaluated all 50 U.S. states across ten equally weighted factors measuring access, quality, outcomes, and family experience. Data was sourced from reputable national organizations, including the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), U.S. Department of Labor, and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), reflecting the most recent data available. Each factor—ranging from student support staffing and therapy availability to graduation rates and parent satisfaction—was scored on a normalized 0–10 scale and added together to create a comprehensive ranking of all 50 states. For more information, please visit the full State of Special Education report.
About BlazerWorks
BlazerWorks is the only Managed Services Provider (MSP) built exclusively for education, with over 30 years of experience in special education staffing. By partnering with top education staffing firms, BlazerWorks gives school districts access to the best talent while simplifying agency management. BlazerWorks’ concierge-level support reduces administrative burden, improves fill rates, strengthens educator support, and—most importantly—frees district staff to focus on student success.
11.17.2025. ATLANTA, GA — BlazerWorks
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