The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is obligated to make provisions for special needs students enrolled in public schools. Some parents prefer to place their children in private schools, but are unclear as to whether special education services are covered under IDEA guidelines.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was written into law in 1975, and has undergone several revisions since then. Today, IDEA ensures that all children who are classified as having a special need or disability receive a free public school education with all of the necessary accommodations. Not all students with special needs are enrolled in public schools, as some parents opt for a private educational setting. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act contains a section that addresses the issue of private schools and whether or not special needs children are eligible to receive support services.
Parents of a child with a disability may have several reasons for choosing a private school. Those who live in a district with a heavily populated public school may worry that their child will be overstimulated by noise or will not receive enough individual attention in the classroom. Private schools generally offer smaller classes, which are often appealing for special needs children who thrive on personal interaction with staff. Some parents prefer private schools because of the curriculum offered, and others have religious reasons that motivate their decision. Private schools do not receive the same amount of educational funding that the government grants to public schools, therefore IDEA is not under an equal obligation to provide extensive services to children with disabilities. Parents must take this into consideration when deciding on the appropriate learning institution for children who need extra help and educational support.
Special needs students who are enrolled in private schools do have opportunities to receive services under IDEA, provided that they have completed the required identification and evaluation processes required by local educational agencies (LEA). After this has occurred, meetings between the LEA, parents, and representatives of the private school will take place. The purpose of these meetings is to create an plan of services for the disabled student. A portion of government funds is allocated to private schools for extra accommodations, on the condition that the funds be distributed among all special needs children in a certain school. IDEA will also ensure that children receive transportation to private schools.
Parents who place their disabled children in private schools must also be aware that the school has the right to voice objections regarding the decisions of the LEA, and that teachers employed by private schools are not expected to meet the same requirements as special education teachers in the public school system.