Legal Rights of Children with Disabilities in Non-Traditional Schools

1. Your Child’s Rights:Legal Rights of Children with Disabilities Who Are Home Schooled or Placed by Parents in Charter, Cyber Charter, Parochial and Private Schools Maura McInerney, Esq. Education Law Center www.elc-pa.org

2. Today’s Training School-Age Children With Disabilities Educated in Non-traditional Settings • Charter Schools, Cyber Charter Schools = Public School • Home Schooled • Placed by Parent in Parochial/Private School Issues Considered: • Admissions/Enrollment • Right To Request Initial Evaluation & Content of Eval. • Right to a Free Appropriate Public Education • Type of Plan or Services Required to be Provided • Right to Inclusion • Protection in School Discipline & Transportation • Dispute Resolution EducationLaw Center, PA

3. Charter & Cyber Charter Schools A charter school is an independent public school established and operated under a charter from a local school board. 22 Pa. Code 1703-A (Emphasis added) Education Law Center, PA

4. pennsylvanIA’s CHARTER Law Charter schools are created and guided by PA’s Charter School Law,24 P.S.§17-1701-A et seq. (1997) • The legislative intent of the law was to: • Improve learning • Innovate teaching methods • Create professional opportunities and responsibilities • Provide expanded options for parents in public education • Increase accountability • Charter schools cannot: • Unlawfully discriminate in admissions, hiring or operation • Be sectarian in any operations • Provide religious instruction or display religious objects or symbols on school premises • Advocate unlawful behavior Education Law Center, PA

5. The National Landscape • 42 states and the District of Columbia have laws authorizing charter schools. • Only Alabama, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia have no charter school law. Source: http://dashboard.publiccharters.org/dashboard/students/page/age/year/2012 Education Law Center, PA

6. Where are The Charter Schools In Pennsylvania? l88 charters l20 charters l 10 charters l5-9 charters l1-4 charters l0 charters Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education Charter School Directory. Map created using http://diymaps.net/pa.htm Education Law Center, PA

7. Who is Attending Charter Schools in PA? • 108,942 students in Pennsylvania were enrolled in charter schools in October 2012. • Of those students, approximately 34,000were in cyber charter programs. Education Law Center, PA

8. Students with Disabilities enrolled in Charter Schools Pennsylvania Charter and School District Special Education Enrollments (2009) Data from: Bruce Baker, Parsing Charter School Disability Enrollments in PA and NJ, School Finance 101. Aug. 23, 2012. http://schoolfinance101.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/parsing-charter-school-disability-enrollments-in-pa-and-nj/ Education Law Center, PA

9. What is a Cyber Charter School? An independent public school established and operated under a charter from the PDE and in which the school uses technology in order to provide a significant portion of its curriculum and deliver a significant portion of instruction to its students online or through other electronic means. A cyber charter school must be organized as a public, nonprofit corporation. Education Law Center, PA

10. Cyber Charter Schools • Typically, students enrolled in a cyber charter school are educated in their homes with a computer provided by the school. • Any student in Pennsylvania is eligible to attend a cyber charter school. • The charter is issued by PDE, rather than a local school board. Education Law Center, PA

11. Who is attending cyber charter schools in pa? • There are currently 16 cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania. • In 2012-2013, students from 498 school districts were enrolled in cyber charter programs. • 34,694 students attended PA cyber charter schools in 2012-2013 • Just over 5,000 of those cyber charter students were students with disabilities Education Law Center, PA

12. students With Disabilitiesand charter schools • Charter schools in Pennsylvania are educating an equitable share of children with disabilities overall • But most students with disabilities in charter schools have either speech/language impairment (SLI) or a specific learning disability (SLD) (more “mild” disabilities). • Charters serve a very small number of students with complex support needs Education Law Center, PA

13. Legal REQUIREMENTS for pa charter schools Charter schools’ legal mandates require all charter schools to: • Comply with all federal laws, policies and case law relevant to public schools • Comply with the Charter School Law, and other PA laws and policies specific to charter schools • Comply with all other state laws and policies applicable to charter schools • Set forth in the charter meaningful strategies for parent and community involvement and accountability • Provide a minimum of 180 days of instruction per year • Participate in the PA State Assessment system in the manner in which the school district where the charter is located is scheduled to participate Education Law Center, PA

14. Barriers for Students with Disabilities • Some charter schools may discourage parents of students with disabilities from applying. • Some charters may suggest that they are not equipped to meet the needs of students with disabilities, leading parents to be concerned the schools are not able to meet their children’s needs. • All charter schools are schools of choice; parents may choose to withdraw their child if their special education needs are not being met. • Some charter schools enforce strict discipline codes, and students with disabilities may be more likely to be suspended or expelled. Education Law Center, PA

15. Barriers and Obstaclesfor Students with Disabilities • Admissions • Applications and documents • Criteria • Concentration and grade levels • Timelines and deadlines • Provision of special education supports and services • Counseling regarding “availability” • Costs and expenses • Least restrictive environment (LRE) mandate Education Law Center, PA

16. Emerging Issues Regarding Cybers • Children are sent to cybers when the district fails to meet or ignores the needs of a student’s disability • Quality of education • Currently, there is no high quality research to prove that full-time virtual school is an adequate replacement for traditional face-to-face teaching (Note: Cyber “AYP” rates) • The students who attend cyber schools for a short period of time and return to their neighborhood schools are often further behind other students • There is currently only anecdotal evidence to support the idea that cyber charter schools are appropriate for at-risk students Education Law Center, PA

17. Emerging Issues Regarding Cybers • Children may be sent to “cyber programs” within a school district. • This may be offered as an educational placement or in response to school discipline issues. • These programs are NOT independently monitored or reviewed nor is disaggregated data collected regarding student achievement. • Raises “change in placement” issues • Quality of education – same concerns Education Law Center, PA

18. Legal Protections for Students with Disabilities • Charter schools cannot discriminate against a student for admission based on intellectual ability or disability. • Students with disabilities enrolled in charter schools are entitled to all of the same rights as non-disabled peers. • Students with disabilities retain ALL federal rights and protections guaranteed by federal disability laws (e.g., IDEA, 504 and ADA) & certain rights under Chapter 14. Education Law Center, PA

19. FEDERAL LAWS APPLY Charter schools are subject to all federal education and civil rights laws, and relevant federal case law, including: • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (504) • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title 6) • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title 9) • McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act (McKinney-Vento) • No Child Left Behind • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Education Law Center, PA

20. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) • All students with disabilities enrolled in a charter school are entitled to all the rights and protections of the IDEA. • These include: • Free multidisciplinary evaluations • Eligibility determinations • Individualized program development (IEP) • Inclusion in the “least restrictive environment” (LRE) • Procedural safeguards and due process Education Law Center, PA

21. PA Regulations for Chartersand STUDENTS with disabilities • Chapter 14 of state public education regulations, which details public schools’ legal responsibilities to students with disabilities, does not apply to charter schools. • There is a special set of regulations in Chapter 711 which deals specifically with charter schools and students with disabilities. (22 Pa. Code§711) Chapter 711: • Specifies how Pennsylvania charter schools will comply with federal disability laws, including the IDEA and Section 504 • Mostly incorporates federal regulations into state regulations • Also requires that all special education teachers be state certified, notwithstanding the charter school law, which requires that only 75% of charter school teachers be state certified Education Law Center, PA

22. 504 Protections • Charter schools must comply with Section 504. • Charter schools are prohibited from discriminating against students on the basis of disability. • Students with disabilities may not be excluded from participation in some activity OR treated differently due to disability. Education Law Center, PA

23. CHARTER SCHOOL Admissions • Allresident students in Pennsylvania are eligibleto attend a charter school • Charters cannot discriminate in admissions policies or practices on the basis of: • Intellectual ability • Athletic ability • Measures of achievement or aptitude • Status as a person with a disability • Proficiency in English • Any other basis that would be illegal if used by a school district Education Law Center, PA

24. Enrollment Laws Applicable to Charter Schools Pennsylvania law mandates that charter schools, like school districts, immediately enroll eligible students upon the presentation of four documents (four in the door): • Proof of the child’s age • Proof of immunizations required by law • Proof of residency • Statement of parent regarding any current school exclusion for weapons offense Education Law Center, PA

25. Admissions (Cont.) • The school’s charter must set forth its admission criteria • Charter schools can limitadmission: • To a particular grade level • To an area of concentration (e.g. science or the arts) • By establishing reasonable criteria to evaluate prospective students re area of concentration. Education Law Center, PA

26. When there are More applicants than Spaces • Charter schools can admit with first preference: • Students who reside in the district where the charter school is authorized • Children whose parents who have been actively engaged in development of the school • Siblings of enrolled students • Otherwise, charter schools mustadmit students selected at randomfrom a pool of candidates who meet the charters’ legally established criteria (e.g., lottery) • Charters can enroll, if space permits, nonresident students Education Law Center, PA

27. FEDERAL LAWS APPLY Charter schools are subject to all federal education and civil rights laws, and relevant federal case law, including: • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (504) • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title 6) • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title 9) • McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act (McKinney-Vento) • No Child Left Behind • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Education Law Center, PA

28. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) • All students with disabilities enrolled in a charter school are entitled to all the rights and protections of the IDEA. • These include: • Free multidisciplinary evaluations • Eligibility determinations • Individualized program development (IEP) • Inclusion in the “least restrictive environment” (LRE) • Procedural safeguards and due process Education Law Center, PA

29. PA Regulations for Chartersand STUDENTS with disabilities • Chapter 14 of state public education regulations, which details public schools’ legal responsibilities to students with disabilities, does not apply to charter schools. • There is a special set of regulations in Chapter 711 which deals specifically with charter schools and students with disabilities. (22 Pa. Code§711) Chapter 711: • Specifies how Pennsylvania charter schools will comply with federal disability laws, including the IDEA and Section 504 • Mostly incorporates federal regulations into state regulations • Also requires that all special education teachers be state certified, notwithstanding the charter school law, which requires that only 75% of charter school teachers be state certified Education Law Center, PA

30. Charter Schools:RIGHT TO An Evaluation • Charters schools are responsible for conducting evaluations to determine if an enrolled student is eligible for special education supports and services. • When a parent requests an evaluation of a student enrolled in a charter school, the charter school must conduct the evaluation and give parents a written Evaluation Report within 60 calendar days (excluding the summer months) from the date the parent agrees to an evaluation in writing. • Charter schools must have a system for screening children to determine whether they should be referred for a special education evaluation. Education Law Center, PA

31. Rights of Parents in Evaluation process • Parent MUST make request in writing. If request is oral, school district MUST present parent with “Permission to Evaluate/Evaluation” (PTE) Request form within 10 calendar days of oral request. • Parent MUST sign Permission to Evaluate/Consent form to trigger school’s duty to perform initial evaluation. • Parent has a right to refuse proposed evaluation • If a parent believes an evaluation by charter school is deficient, parent may request independent evaluation (IEE) and challenge school’s decision to deny such a request. • Right to re-evaluation every three years or, in the case of a child with an intellectual disability, every two years. Education Law Center, PA

32. Right to Procedural Safeguards Parents of students with disabilities have a number of procedural safeguards, including: • Opportunity to meaningfully participate in the evaluation process & development of their child’s IEP • Prior written notice (PWN) of any change to their child’s IEP • Opportunity to appeal when they don’t agree with the school district about their child’s IEP Education Law Center, PA

33. RIGHT to a Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) If a student is found eligible for special education: • The IEP team must meet within 30 calendar days after the evaluation report is completed. • The IEP team must include the “parent,” at least one regular education teacher of the child, one special education teacher of the child, an administrator, and the child (when appropriate) • Parent may bring other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise about the child • The IEP team must review the IEP at least once every year. • Parents or the school may request an IEP team meeting at any time. Education Law Center, PA

34. Type of Plan/Services • An IEP is a written statement for a child with a disability, which outlines the child’s special education program and related services. • The IEP must be tailored to meet the child’s unique needs. • If a service is listed on a child’s IEP, the child mustreceive it. • Child must receive “specially designed instruction”, modifications, support services, transition plan etc. • Child must make progress. Education Law Center, PA

35. Charter School: Important Differences • Caseload Requirement: Each student with a disability must be assigned to a special education teacher’s caseload. 22 PA Code§14. 105 No such requirement in charter schools • Age Range: The maximum age range in specialized settings shall be 3 years in elementary school (grades K—6) & 4 years in secondary school (grades 7—12). A student with a disability may not be placed in a class in which the chronological age from the youngest to the oldest student exceeds these limits unless an exception is determined to be appropriate by the IEP team of that student and is justified in the IEP. 22 PA Code§14.146 No such requirement in charter schools Education Law Center, PA

36. Protection In School Discipline State due process laws for suspension/expulsion of pupils • Expulsions require a formal hearing • Suspensions require only an informal hearing • A charter school may notexpel or suspend students for failure to meet the charter school’s academic requirements. • ALL IDEA protections apply – e.g., right to manifestation determination, etc. • CANNOT be disciplined due to disability Education Law Center, PA

37. RIGHT TO INCLUSION:Least restrictive environment (LRE) • To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities should be educated with their non-disabled peers. Removal from the regular education classroom should occur only when the nature or severity of the child’s disability is such that education in regular education classes (with the use of supplementary aids and services) cannot be achieved satisfactorily. • The IDEA requires that each LEA offer a full continuum of placementsfor students. Education Law Center, PA

38. Right to TransporTation • Students with disabilities are entitled to free and appropriate transportation when necessary to attend their special education program. • When it is needed, the type and amount of transportation must be included in the IEP as a related service. Education Law Center, PA

39. Rights in Dispute Resolution • If parents disagree with the IEP or with any other proposal or refusal of the school district or charter/cyber charter relating to the child’s special education program, they can agree to mediate or request a formal due process hearing. Parents or anyone else acting on behalf of a child can also file a complaint with the Department of Education alleging a violation of the special education laws such as not providing the child with all of the services listed on the IEP. Education Law Center, PA

40. Case Study Examples Education Law Center, PA

41. Legal Challenges:P.D. v. Pastorek (E.D. New Orleans) • In 2010, Southern Poverty Law Center filed an administrative complaint & federal lawsuit on behalf of thousands of students with disabilities alleging denial of FAPE and access to the city’s charter schools – where over 70% of schools are charters: • Children with disabilities WERE significantly underrepresented in charter schools • Some charter schools suspend children with disabilities at rates 100% higher than the state average.    • Only 6.8% of students with disabilities graduated with a high school diploma & 49% of students w/disabilities failed to finish school.  Education Law Center-PA

42. Advocacy Opportunities • Advocacy in the Charter School context: • Public Schools ARE obligated to admit, educate& provide a FAPE in the least restrictive environment. • IDEA’s requirements apply with equal force in all cases. • State programs cannot exclude or deny equal benefit to students with disabilities. • Advocacy in the Cyber Charter context: • Cyber charters cannot refuse to educate children with disabilities & must monitor and ensure progress. • Cyber charter schools must provide “specially designed instruction” & make modifications to the curriculum. • Cyber charter schools must provide “related services” • They must comply with all applicable procedural safeguards, including parent participation in IEP meetings etc.

43. Rights of Students Who ArE HOME SCHOOLED Education Law Center, PA

44. Right to Evaluation • Parent’s request for an initial evaluation and re-evaluations should be made in writing to the child’s resident school district. • The child’s resident school district must evaluate the child and explain the results to the parent. • The evaluations should be conducted according to the same rules as for children attending public schools. Education Law Center, PA

45. Right to a FAPE • These students have no right to FAPE. Education Law Center, PA

46. Type of Plan/Services Provided • A “home education plan” for a child eligible for special education must address the specific needs of the child and be approved by a PA certified special education teacher or a licensed clinical or certified school psychologist. • The school district or IU can agree with the Program Supervisor to provide some services. There may be a right to some services if the child is dual enrolled in public school. Education Law Center, PA

47. Right to Inclusion • Pennsylvania law allows children who are home schooled to participate in some extra-curricular activities offered by their home school district. • Local school districts may, but are not required to, offer some academic courses to students who are home schooled. • As with all federally–funded programs, students may not be excluded from participation in programs offered by the public school district on the basis of their disability. Education Law Center, PA

48. Right to TransporTation • Any services agreed upon must take place at a public school or a licensed private school. • Services will not be provided at home. • Transportation services may be agreed to by the school district or IU with the Program Supervisor. Education Law Center, PA

49. Right to Dispute Resolution • Any special education services must be agreed upon by the supervisor (the home school instructor) and school district or intermediate unit. • Since there is no duty to provide FAPE, the parent cannot use the hearing or complaint system to challenge a school district’s refusal to provide services. However parents can use the hearing process or mediation if it relates to the school district’s duty to evaluate the child. Education Law Center, PA

50. Case Study Examples Education Law Center, PA