Public vs. Charter vs. Private Schools for ASD
What is IDEA?
The Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) enacted in 1975 is the
nation’s federal special education law that ensures public schools
serve the educational needs of students with disabilities. IDEA
requires that schools provide special education services to eligible
students as outlined in a student’s Individualized Education
Program (IEP). IDEA also provides very specific requirements to
guarantee a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students
with disabilities in the least restrictive environment (LRE). FAPE
and LRE are the protected rights of every eligible child, in all
fifty states and U.S. Territories.
LEA = Local Educational Agency - A
public board of education or other public authority legally
constituted within a State for either administrative control or
direction of, or to perform a service function for, public elementary
schools or secondary schools in a city, county, township, school
district, or other political subdivision of a State. Often the local school district.
Public Schools
Legally obligated to provide “free
and appropriate” education under IDEA
Inclusive environment
Larger class sizes
Academic diversity
Social worker support
Teachers are required to be certified.
Background checks required.
Must accept students within the
district
Provide transportation to students
outside of walk zones (or as a related service in an IEP)
Provide free or reduced lunches to
qualifying students
Charter Schools
Legally obligated to provide “free
and appropriate” education under IDEA
Inclusive environment? Depends on the
type of school
Academic diversity? Depends on type of
school
Often smaller class sizes
Strong sense of community
Only 50% of teachers required to be
certified. Background checks required.
May require application, lottery
process for admission
May not provide transportation
May not provide meals
Private Schools
Not legally obligated to provide “free
and appropriate” education under IDEA
Inclusive environment? Depends on the
type of school
Academic diversity? Depends on type of
school
Often smaller class sizes
Strong sense of community
Set their own admission guidelines
Teachers are not required to be
certified. Background checks only required for chief administrator of
the school (not for teachers).
May not provide transportation
May not provide meals
Coming soon: why we decided that public school was best for our Twice-Exceptional child...





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