This study aims to investigate and analyze the funding, distribution, present conditions, and
teachers' perception of the operational costs for special education class, and to suggest ways for
improving financial supports of special education classes. To achieve these purposes, the study
reviewed and analyzed the pertinent literature and documents of 16 provincial offices of education,
and surveyed 295 special education teachers in Gangwon-do. Based on the results of the survey,
improvement plans for financial supports of special education classes are as follows.
First, to secure the regulated budget per special education class, the legal obligation must be
established for special education teachers to make a report on closing accounts. Second, to ensure
financial equity and adequacy, the allocation method of the operational costs for special education
class must be changed into a differential sum system, which utilizes the criteria of school level
and student number. Third, considering the expanding trend of integrated special education, the
operational cost for integrated classes must be offered as a separate budget item. Finally, to use
the operational costs for special education class more effectively, the guidelines for the financial
management of special education class must be provided for special education teachers.