What percent of school-aged children are served for specific learning disabilities under IDEA?

• A. about 10 percent
• B. about 1 percent
• C. about 5 percent
• D. about 20 percent

Answer: (C)

Specific learning disability is a category under IDEA that covers difficulties in basic academic skills that require special education services. The commonly cited share of school-aged children who receive IDEA services for SLD is about five percent. This reflects national data showing SLD as a major reason students are served, even though the overall IDEA population includes several other categories. The other options—one percent, ten percent, or twenty percent—don’t align with these typical national estimates. In short, about five percent is the standard figure described for this category.