Study: Charters in California Enroll Fewer Students with Disabilities, Fewer with Severe Disabilities
It has been widely reported that charter schools enroll fewer students with disabilities and few of the students they enroll have severe disabilities.
The California Teachers Association and the United Teachers of Los Angeles reviewed public records to document the enrollments of students with disabilities in charter schools in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Oakland.
The study is titled “State of Denial: California Charter Schools and Special Education Students.”
The study found that charters enroll fewer students with disabilities than public schools. Charter enrollment is 11% compared to more that 14% in public schools. Furthermore, charters enroll fewer students with severe disabilities. They avoid the students who are most expensive to educate. Consequently these charter policies cost the three districts between $64 million to $97 million each year.
In some of the charter networks, fewer than 10% of students are entitled to special education services. One celebrated charter in Oakland, the American Indian Model Schools, known for its high test scores, has fewer than 3%. The 12 Rocketship charter schools enroll only 7.34% students with disabilities. The two charters created by former Governor Jerry Brown in Oakland enroll fewer than 10% of students with disabilities.
CONCLUSIONS:
Advocates for students with disabilities have long held CONTINUE READING: Study: Charters in California Enroll Fewer Students with Disabilities, Fewer with Severe Disabilities | Diane Ravitch's blog
