Topeka ? A Senate committee has approved a bill that would change how some special education funding is distributed in the state.

The bill approved Monday by the Senate Education Committee is in response to a controversy over catastrophic aid funding, which pays for aid for students with extremely expensive needs.

School districts across the state objected when the Blue Valley, Olathe and Shawnee Mission districts each made claims for millions of dollars in catastrophic aid. In comparison, the Wichita school district sought less than $700,000 last year.

The three districts argued that their special needs have been chronically underfunded and their claims were legal.

The committee approved raising the requirements for qualifying for catastrophic aid and eliminate provisions that allow districts to double the aid they receive.