The topic of school vouchers is in the national news these days, as President Trump has been inaugurated and the Senate is moving through confirmation hearings for Betsy DeVos, nominee for Secretary of Education. What are school vouchers? School vouchers are, as the name implies, vouchers-- for families to use to cover tuition at schools other than public schools. They are funded by the government, and are currently available in 14 states and Washington D.C. You can read more about school vouchers here: School Vouchers 101: What They Are, How They Work — And Do They Work?.
Let’s think about the students we serve. Many of them are eligible for special education and have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). If they were to use vouchers to attend private schools, what might this mean for their special education services and supports? Here are some key points from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, reauthorized in 2004:
If you’re interested in learning more about special education in private schools, here’s another website to peruse.
Wondering what this means and looks like in practice? What is the actual impact of school vouchers on students with special needs and their families? Here’s one article that gives some insight-- "Vouchers Put Some Parents in Squeeze on Special Ed Rights" . There are certainly varied experiences across various settings. If you have a personal experience to share, or find another article documenting a different perspective or experience, please share in the comments section!
Let’s think about the students we serve. Many of them are eligible for special education and have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). If they were to use vouchers to attend private schools, what might this mean for their special education services and supports? Here are some key points from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, reauthorized in 2004:
- Students with disabilities enrolled in private schools should still be evaluated and identified as eligible for special education, if applicable. Local public school districts are responsible for meeting child-find requirements. “Each LEA must locate, identify, and evaluate all children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private, including religious, elementary schools and secondary schools located in the school district served by the LEA” [34 CFR 300.131(a)] [20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(10)(A)(i)(II)]
- When enrolling their child in a private school, parents waive their right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), and the services and supports that would be provided to their student with an IEP in a public school. “No parentally-placed private school child with a disability has an individual right to receive some or all of the special education and related services that the child would receive if enrolled in a public school.” [34 CFR 300.137] [20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(10)(A)]
If you’re interested in learning more about special education in private schools, here’s another website to peruse.
Wondering what this means and looks like in practice? What is the actual impact of school vouchers on students with special needs and their families? Here’s one article that gives some insight-- "Vouchers Put Some Parents in Squeeze on Special Ed Rights" . There are certainly varied experiences across various settings. If you have a personal experience to share, or find another article documenting a different perspective or experience, please share in the comments section!
Blog post written by:
Alli Guilfoil, Director of Academic Intervention
Alli Guilfoil, Director of Academic Intervention
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