There are federal laws that require all public schools to educate students who have disabilities. Charter schools are also expected to follow these laws. However, it seems as though not all charter schools are adequately providing an education for kids with special needs. Some are actively avoiding having to take on this responsibility.
There are certain federal laws, including the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004”, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, that require public schools to educate students who have disabilities. Charter schools are also required to follow the regulations set forth in these types of laws.
Many charter schools, however, are actively trying to get around having to do what these types of laws require them to do. Schools, both public and charter, are required to do things such as create an IEP, provide assistance from a teacher’s aide, and find the best placement for students who have special needs. Kids who have special needs have special protection regarding the type of discipline that will be used to correct a child for behaviors that are related to their condition.
If a public school is unable to meet the needs of a student who has special needs, that school can send the child to a private school instead. In these situations, the public school would have to pay the bill so that the student can attend the private school. Parents are allowed to challenge these decisions, if they choose to.
Many charter schools are basically closing their doors to students who have disabilities. If these schools accept a student who has special needs, the school sometimes refuse to provide the services that the child needs. Or, the school will try and find a reason that they feel validates the removal of the student from their school.
In short, it comes down to money. Charter schools are usually smaller than public schools. Charter schools receive less tax money than the public schools do. Charter schools get an average of $9,460 per student each year (in local, state, and federal money). This is about 19% less funding than the public schools are getting.
Students who have special needs tend to be more expensive to educate than their peers, who have no special needs or disabilities. The more serious the disability, the more cost that is involved. The school could be paying for occupational therapy, ABA therapy, physical therapy, additional staff, and other things that are required by students who have special needs. The charter schools don’t have an incentive to take students who have special needs. They would rather use their funding in other ways.
This can, in some cases, lead to situations that would make any parent upset if it happened to their child, whether or not the child had special needs. Parents should take the time to really investigate the charter school they are considering enrolling their child into. The school could be trying to “cherry pick” students who would be the least expensive to educate.
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