On June 22, the House Education and the Workforce Committee voted 31-5 to approve the Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act, legislation that amends the Charter Schools Program authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), better known as No Child Left Behind. H.R. 2218 includes new provisions to better address the needs of students with disabilities in charter schools that CEC has advocated for.
CEC has long been concerned by the lack of access for students with disabilities to charter schools and the lack of oversight ensuring that students with disabilities in charter schools are appropriately served and receive all of their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). CEC is pleased that this legislation includes provisions which support increased access, service and accountability for charter schools. Specifically, CEC is encouraged to see the following included in this legislation:
- A requirement that State entities describe in their applications how they will ensure charters can meet the educational needs of students with disabilities;
- An assurance that State entities will ensure authorizing agencies ensure charter schools are meeting the obligations of IDEA and section 504;
- An assurance that State entities will adequately monitor and help charter schools to recruit, enroll, and meet the needs of all students with disabilities; and
- The definition of High Quality Charter School specifically includes schools that have demonstrated success in significantly increasing academic achievement for all students, and specifically students with disabilities.
These provisions represent a step forward for education policy in our nation and an acknowledgement that charter schools must include and do more for students with disabilities.
While CEC supported the overall bill, CEC is concerned that the final bill downgraded a provision that was proposed in the original version of the bill which would have required that charter schools enroll students with disabilities and other traditionally underserved populations at a rate similar to traditional public schools. In the final bill this requirement was included as a priority, rather than a requirement. CEC will continue to work with Congress, the Administration, states and local entities to ensure that the needs of students with disabilities are met in all settings.
This bill is a step in the right direction, but there is still work to be done.
Share with CEC your experiences and thoughts on charter schools and how they serve students with exceptionalities by commenting on this blog or emailing pubpol@cec.sped.org .
Read CEC’s Charter School Policy
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