Giving Compass' Take:
- Kara Arundel sheds light on the gaps evident in charter schools' ability to support the success of disabled students.
- What can you do to advance the intentional inclusion of disabled students at charter schools in your community?
- Read more about inclusion of disabled students.
- Learn more about key issues in education and how you can help.
- Search our Guide to Good for nonprofits focused on education in your area.
What is Giving Compass?
We connect donors to learning resources and ways to support community-led solutions. Learn more about us.
To date, the report said, charter schools have failed to “consistently address the needs of students with disabilities or, perhaps more importantly, close the gap in educational outcomes between students with disabilities and their peers.” This can have long-term negative consequences on students’ academic, mental and behavioral development if their charter schools are not prepared to disabled students the study said.
Morando Rhim said the purpose of the study and four accompanying reports is to elevate proven practices and increase successful charter school opportunities nationwide for students with disabilities.
“You want all kids to have access to high-quality learning experiences and learning environments,” she said. “It’s not just that you’ve got them in the schools, it’s that they’re having success in those schools.”
A fifth report is expected to be released in the fall on how charters can move the needle on serving students with disabilities.
The study, supported with funding from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, found the percentage of students enrolled in charter schools who qualify for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act has increased steadily — from 10.4% in 2012 to 11.5% in 2021. But the enrollment rate for those students is still lower than that of traditional public schools, which was 14.1% in 2021.
That enrollment gap, if the trend continues, could result in a significant equity gap in the next decade for historically marginalized students who also have a disability, the study said.
Some of the recommendations made in the reports include:
State policymakers should do more than just ensure charter schools meet their legal obligations for students with disabilities. State education agencies, for example, could develop guidance on projected costs of providing appropriate special education services in charter schools.
Charter school authorizers should hold schools accountable by including special education programming as a factor in charter school renewal decisions.
Read the full article about students with disabilities by Kara Arundel at K-12 Dive.