SED 902
Lesson 12
When researching the similarities and differences between states in the area of special education services for private school students, I selected Virginia and Texas to compare with Arizona. Federal law is perceived and implemented differently in every state. All three states acknowledge child find responsibilities. Services to private school students vary between states such as testing and transportation. Lastly, assessment of students placed in private schools varies among the states. Each state provides for an opportunity for assessment with different avenues for reaching that occurrence.
The federal law requiring public school districts to disseminate information regarding the identification of students with special needs is evident in the three states listed above. Information from the state of Virginia was easily accessed and resulted in the clear description of child find in the frequently asked questions.
“Virginia - Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is responsible for Child Find activities, which include locating, identifying, and evaluating all students with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private schools, including religious, elementary schools and secondary schools located within Fairfax County. This includes children who live in Fairfax County and do not attend public school, but attend a private school in Fairfax County. This also includes children who do not live in Fairfax County and whose parents have enrolled them in private schools located in Fairfax County. Parents of students who are Fairfax County residents seeking these Child Find services should contact their base school. Parents of students who do not reside in Fairfax County should contact the Fairfax County Public School closest to the private school their child attends. The public school will consider the referral information, initiate testing, if appropriate, and subsequently, determine eligibility and offer appropriate services, if required.”
The state of Texas also addresses child find for private school students in the frequently asked questions. Texas goes on to add that local LEA’s do not need to develop an IEP if the parent has made it clear that they will place their child in a private education setting. The information that was accessed from the Arizona department of education was initially very difficult to find. Upon further attempts the question “Does the Arizona Department of Education provide for students with disabilities to attend private schools?” was found.
Students with disabilities who have been placed by their parents in a private school as a matter of choice have no individual entitlement to receive a FAPE, but may be entitled to some special education services provided by the local school district under the “proportionate share” requirement. If an IEP team determines that a private school is the most appropriate, least restrictive setting for a child with a disability, that placement is made at no cost to the parent
All three states comply with the federal laws regarding child find.
Services provided to private school students with needs vary in each of the three states investigated. In Virginia, the districts are willing to transport students from private schools to the base school for therapies not including resource classes. Virginia also invites educators from private schools to participate in trainings if there is space available. Texas schools are directed to collaborate with private schools, however it is stated quite clearly that if a