Sample Graph

Children from Birth to Age 21 Who Were Served By Federally Supported Programs for Students with Disabilities, in Thousands: 1976-77 to 1998-99¹
Type of Disability	1976-77	1980-81	1990-91	1995-96	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99
All disabilities	3,694	4,144	4,761	5,573	5,729	5,903	6,055
Specific learning disabilities	796	1,462	2,129	2,579	2,649	2,725	2,789
Speech or language impairments	1,302	1,168	985	1,022	1,043	1,056	1,068
Mental retardation	961	830	535	570	579	589	597
Multiple disabilities	-	68	96	93	98	106	106

¹Based on the enrollment in public schools, kindergarten through 12^th grade, including a relatively small number of prekindergarten students.

Note: Counts are based on reports from the 50 states and District of Columbia only (i.e. figures from U.S. territories are not included). Increases since 1987-88 are due in part to new legislation enacted in fall 1986, which mandates public school special education services of all handicapped children ages 3 through 5. Some data have been revised from previously published figures. Because of rounding, details may not add to totals.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics, 2000, Table 53.