Families in
Transition
Private Schools
This is any other private school that is not a therapeutic school specifically. Includes religious schools, Montessori schools, etc.
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What services can a child in private school receive?
This depends on how they were placed in the school. Children can be parentally placed- meaning that their parents chose to put them in a private school, or placed by their local public education agencies because the private school will provide the best FAPE (fair and appropriate public education).
What services are children parentally placed in private schools entitled to receive?
Children who are placed by parents in private schools are not entitled to the same special education or related services they would get in a public school.
Can children parentally placed in private schools receive services?
Children who are placed by parents in private schools can receive some school based services. The LEA is required to use some money to help children who are parentally placed private schools with school based services.
How can children parentally placed in private schools receive services?
The law still requires the LEA to find and evaluate children with disabilities. If they identify your child who was parentally placed in a private school with a disability then they may get 'equitable services'. These are special education services funded by the money set aside.
How is the plan for school based services made?
The LEA, with the parents and private school representative, create an ISP- an individual service plan. These plans usually have less detail than IEPs, but they do say what services LEA is taking responsibility for, where they will take place and how often.
Who delivers these services?
Related service providers (OT, PT, SLP, etc) for parentally-placed private school children with disabilities must meet the same standards of those providing services in the public schools.
EXCEPT special education teachers in private schools do not have to meet the same requirements. Services might be provided by outside professionals assigned by the LEA, or professionals from the private school.
Overall...
Children who are parentally placed in a private school
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Still have to be evaluated by their LEA as part of the child find process
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If identified as a child with a disability under IDEA have the right to 'equitable services'.
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Have services outlined in ISP (individual service plan)
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Have ISP developed consultation with the private school, LEA, and parents.
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Do NOT have the right to the same services as children with disabilities in public schools
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Do NOT have the same rights for their parents as parents of children with disabilities in public schools.