Most disabled children using vouchers don't get special classes (Florida)

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Mon, Dec. 08, 2003

Most disabled children using vouchers don't get special classes
Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - About 77 percent of private schools taking vouchers to educate disabled students don't offer special classes for disabled children, a newspaper found.

Of the 641 private schools taking McKay vouchers meant for children with disabilities, 496 reported on state Department of Education forms that they did not have classes "specifically designed to meet the needs of children with exceptionalities," The Palm Beach Post reported in its Monday editions.

McKay vouchers, used by about 12,200 students, are worth between $5,000 and $21,300, depending on the severity of a student's disability. But there are no laws requiring schools to offer special attention or therapy to students with disabilities.

Unlike public schools, private institutions are exempt from state oversight on curriculum development and don't have to write education plans disabled students. (snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/7441583.htm