The charter schools movement began in 1991 with the passage of a law in Minnesota that permitted the formation of charter schools as part of the state public education system. Such laws now exist in 40 states and the District of Columbia and there are more than 4,500 charter schools in operation. The basic concept of charter schools is to allow increased autonomy in exchange for demonstrating higher academic achievement. Although state charter school laws waive some state and/or local requirements, charter schools must comply with all federal laws and regulations including IDEA, Section 504 and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
NASDSE has become the prime source of information for charter schools, state agencies and the individuals and organizations working with them in helping ensure that charter schools have what they need to comply with their special education requirements.
NASDSE’s contribution has evolved from initial outreach efforts in the early 1990s advising states about the national charter schools movement and its implications for special education, to major federally funded projects that have made significant national contributions in this area. NASDSE has conducted the following federally funded projects to study and develop resources related to meeting the needs of students with disabilities in charter schools:
Ø SPEDTACS (Special Education Technical Assistance for Charter Schools)—funded by the U. S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program National Initiatives Program from 2001 to 2004 to develop a set of Primers on Special Education in Charter Schools and a website based on those documents with added resources to assist authorizers, developers/operators and state officials to understand and work on special education in charter schools. Click here for the Primer website.
Other Resources Charter Schools on Special Education in Charter Schools:
National Charter School Research Project: http://www.crpe.org/cs/crpe/view/projects/1 |