Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) children with disabilities enrolled in private schools may receive some limited special education services from public schools, through a proportional share of special education funds. What services are offered are determined by the SELPA, each year, as voted on by the Superintendents' Council. In addition, the amount and/or level of service is limited by the proportional share funds available to the district.

For the 2022-2023 school year, the following services are offered:

• SELPA workshops available to private schools

General Requirements:The SELPA shall hold "timely and meaningful consultation" with private school representatives in calculating the proportionate amount. After such consultation, the districts shall conduct a "thorough and complete" child find to determine the number of parentally-placed private school children. Districts shall keep records on the number of children evaluated, the number found eligible for service, and the number served under this section.

Additionally, under Child Find obligations, school districts are obligated to assess referred private school students and, if the student is found eligible, make an offer of an IEP to be implemented if, and only if, the student enrolls in the public school district. 

 

Click for link to Private School Procedure

 

For further information, Please contact: John Fischer (jfischer@sonomaselpa.org)