Private schools can offer special education, but they aren’t required to. If they choose to provide it, it likely won’t be as extensive as an IEP. Some private schools may offer an Instructional Services Plan or an Individual Service Plan, both known as ISPs. That happens when the private school works with the public school system to provide specialized services. If you choose a private school, your child with special needs will most likely get services from your public school, and not from the private school, itself.
ISP services are not the same services as they would get if they were enrolled in a public school with an IEP. ISP services are limited by funding restrictions. Your child is only entitled to what’s called “equitable services” under an ISP. Also, you may have to travel with your child to get the ISP services after school and won’t get them during the day in the private school.
I hope this post is helpful to understand your special needs child’s rights in private school. It’s complicated, as usual and you may need a special needs lawyer or a special needs advocate. Feel free to contact us by clicking the link below.
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