School Options
Getting the best education possible is vital to all children and youth, particularly those with special needs. Finding the right school or other educational setting can be a challenge for parents. There are many things to keep in mind when making this choice, including the child’s needs, abilities, and unique personality. This page gives information about the types of schools and other educational choices available, to help parents decide what would work best for their child.
Public Schools
Children with special needs are often entitled to receive additional services or accommodations through the public schools. To support your child and their ability to learn in school, there are three federal laws that apply specifically to children with special needs:
As a parent, you can ask for a free evaluation of your child to determine his or her needs for special education and/or related services.
- Contact your child’s school district or your local Head
Start program to set up an evaluation that may involve:
- Psychological and educational testing
- Speech and language evaluation
- Occupational therapy assessment
- Behavioral analysis.
- The results of the evaluation determine your child's eligibility for a range of services under the applicable law.
- After the evaluation, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan may be developed for your child.
- Examples of the types of services detailed in IEPs may be occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, and/or a classroom aide.
Children with special needs are entitled to special education services in school under federal and state laws, but parents do not determine whether their child is eligible for these services. Parents are, however, permitted (and encouraged) to participate in the development of the IEP. For more information about IEPs, see Wrightslaw.
The findings of a school's evaluation team are not final. You have the right to appeal their findings and decision. The school is required to provide you with information about how to make an appeal. As a parent, advocating for your child involves being proactive and taking the steps needed to make sure your child gets appropriate services. Our Advocacy/Finding Your Voice section has more information to help you work within the system.
Charter Schools
Charter schools are public schools. They run on public funds and are open to all students, including those with special needs. What makes a charter school different from a standard public school is that each charter school is run by a parent board, and sets its own goals and focus, which means they differ widely across the United States. The overall goal of a charter school is to provide more choices for students and parents without additional cost.
Charter schools are often known for their small class sizes and high parent involvement. They are based on voluntary enrollment, making them more accountable to parents and student outcomes. As a result, they are given some level of autonomy: they may hire their own staff, develop their own curriculum (course of study), and develop their own programs, although charter schools in many states are evaluated according to student performance on standardized tests, and funds are allocated to each school depending upon the number of students enrolled.
The adaptability and unique setting of a charter school may be a wonderful fit for your child with special needs, and there are even some that are aimed toward specific disabilities. As your child’s advocate, your role is to find what will work best for your child by researching and asking questions about the schools and programs in your area.
Private Schools
There are many private school choices for children with special needs. Some are disability specific. For example, there are schools that offer specific therapeutic interventions for autism, and schools for children with visual or hearing impairment. There may be a school that offers teaching and activities geared specifically for your child. Some children thrive in a school that has a specific focus on their particular challenges.
Private schools tend to have smaller classes and are likely to have more one-on-one learning. Many special needs schools will have experts on staff to support your child and your family through your journey. For some families, the cost of private school tuition may be a hard or impossible choice, but there may be special needs grants and scholarships to help cover the cost of private schools. Contact your state's Parent Training and Information Center at Find Your Parent Center for information on any grants or scholarships available in your area.
Alternative School Options
Alternative education opportunities are available to families seeking less traditional educational settings. There are several approaches to teaching and learning that may be more helpful to meet the individual needs of your child. Home-based educational alternatives differ widely, but all emphasize the value of an individualized education versus a standardized approach to teaching, learning, and testing.
Homeschooling
- If you make this decision, your child may be helped by an education based on their strengths and personality, and they can get additional attention to help them overcome their challenges.
- Another advantage is that your child will not get lost in the shuffle of a large classroom size, limited supplies and books, and the negative aspects of peer pressure.
- For example, a homeschooled child may miss out on extracurricular activities, social skill building, and problem-solving challenges, as well as the rewards of developing friendships with peers.
- Many parents who choose to homeschool their child make
an effort to enroll their child in community sports or recreational
activities, or they team up with other parents and homeschooled
children.
- This team approach can help children to develop social skills and ease the task load for all the parents involved.
Online Education and Schools
Homeschooling it is! Now, where do we begin?
- What is the correct process to withdraw your child from public school so there is no question of truancy?
- Is there legal paperwork to file with the state in order to homeschool?
- What is your state’s compulsory attendance law? (Children in in a certain age range are required to spend a specific amount of time being educated.)
- What curriculum materials does your state require?
- What are your state’s requirements regarding testing and assessment?
- Does your state officially recognize graduation for homeschoolers? If so, what are the graduation requirements?
Resources
Information & Support
For Parents and Patients
National Charter School Directory
In this site you can search for Charter Schools by location.
Center for Parent Information and Resources (DOE)
Parent Centers in every state provide training to parents of children with disabilities and provide information about special
education, transition to adulthood, health care, support groups, local conferences, and other federal, state, and local services.
See the "Find Your Parent Center Link" to find the parent center in your state.
Services for Patients & Families in New Mexico (NM)
Service Categories | # of providers* in: | NM | NW | Other states (3) (show) | | NV | RI | UT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
School Districts | 90 | 4 | 64 | 44 | ||||
Special Education/Schools | 82 | 3 | 9 | 35 | 43 |
For services not listed above, browse our Services categories or search our database.
* number of provider listings may vary by how states categorize services, whether providers are listed by organization or individual, how services are organized in the state, and other factors; Nationwide (NW) providers are generally limited to web-based services, provider locator services, and organizations that serve children from across the nation.
Authors & Reviewers
Author: | Gina Pola-Money |
Reviewers: | Abby Dumas |
Tina Persels | |
Shena McAuliffe, MFA |