Private School Placement
Special Education and the Private School Student
Legal Protections & Options for Securing a FAPE
Finding the appropriate placement for a child with special needs can be among the most difficult challenges a parent can face. Many families, confronted with improperly tailored or failing public school options, turn to the private sector for education. The law acknowledges this concern and offers some helpful options. This article seeks to explore the basic questions for parents navigating the area of private/public special education. We hope you find it helpful:
Can a student, who is parentally-placed in a private school, receive special education and related service from the District?
In order words, is a parentally-placed private school student entitled to a FAPE?
If a school district authorizes a student to attend a private school, is that student entitled to a FAPE?
Who Are Private School Students?
A private school student is either:
- A student whose parents have unilaterally placed him/her in a private school; or
- A student whose school district has authorized his/her placement in a private school through an IEP.
Are School Districts Required To Identify and Assess Special Education Students in Private Schools?
Yes. The law requires school districts to locate, identify and assess all students with disabilities, regardless of their school of attendance, including private school students, within the service area of the school district. This is commonly known as “Child Find.” See 20 U.S.C. §1412(a)(10)(ii).
Is the School District Required To Provide Private School Students With Special Education and Related Services?
Yes. After identifying eligible students, a school district must make the necessary provisions which allow for their participation in special education programs and access to related services. See 20 U.S.C. §1412(a)(10)(ii)(II).
Does the School District Provide Private School Students With Services Through the Regular IEP Process?
Parentally-Placed Private School Student: No. An Individualized Services Plan (ISP) must be developed and implemented for each private school child who has been designated by the school district to receive special education and related services. However, the development of an ISP parallels the regular IEP process.
School District Authorized Private School Student: Yes, an IEP is required.
How Do I Get an ISP? Who Must Be Present at the ISP Meeting?
After a student who requires special education and related services is identified, the school district is responsible for initiating and conducting meetings to develop, review, and revise an ISP. The school district must also ensure that a representative from the private school attends any ISP meetings.
What Special Education Services Are Private School Students Entitled To?
The law states that no parentally-placed private school child with a disability has an individual right to receive some or all of the special education and related services that the child would receive if enrolled in a public school. While the student may be entitled to some services, the student is not entitled to a FAPE. See 34 C.F.R. §§ 300.137. However, if a school district places a child in a private school, the child has the same rights under IDEA as if he/she attended a public school. See 20 U.S.C. §1412(a)(10)(B).
Can the School District Provide Services for My Child at His/Her Private School?
Yes. The school district may provide special education and related services to students on the premises of private schools, including religious schools, but the education and services must be secular, neutral, and non-ideological. District employees or individuals or agencies contracted by the school district may deliver these district-funded services.
Can Parents Seek Reimbursement for Funding the Tuition and Services at a Private School?
Parentally-Placed Private School Student: If parents remove their child from a public school to a private school because the school district failed to offer the child a FAPE, parents may be able to receive reimbursement for tuition of the private school and private services if they initiate a request for due process against the school district for failure to provide the child a FAPE. The California Office of Administrative Hearings may order reimbursement if the hearing officer finds that the school district did not provide the student with a FAPE in a timely manner and that the private placement is appropriate.
School District Authorized Private School Student: If a school district authorizes a private school placement, the school district is required to fund the placement. However, even if the placement is appropriate, the related services that are offered by the school district may not be. Parents are entitled to reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses for privately secured services under the same analysis as above.
What Should Parents Do Before Removing Their Child From the Public School?
Parents should give the school district notice: (1) at the most recent IEP meeting prior to removing your child from public school (inform the IEP team that you are rejecting the school district’s placement offer, and state your concerns and your intent to enroll your child in a private school at public expense); OR (2) give the school district written notice of your concerns and intent to enroll your child in a private school at public expense. Notice should be provided at least 10 business days prior to removing your child from public school. Also, always remember that if a court or hearing officer finds that you acted unreasonably in moving your child, the court or hearing officer may deny or reduce the amount of reimbursement. See 20 U.S.C. §1412(a)(10)(C).
Applicable Law:
20 U.S.C. §1412(a)(10)
34 C.F.R. §§ 300.129-148
Cal. Ed. Code §§ 56170-56194
For more information on the rights of private school students with special needs in Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, or La Cañada, please contact us at staff@woodsmalllawgroup.com