WHAT FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OUT-OF-DISTRICT PLACEMENTS

THE RIGHT PLACE: Most children can be accommodated in their home school districts. Parental participation in decisions about what the child needs should be fully considered and respected in the placement decision.

BY LAUREN AGORATUS, M.A.

Parents sometimes have to weigh the pros and cons when deciding on having their child with a disability in a school different from their home district.

WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that "Each public agency must ensure that a continuum of alternative placements is available to meet the needs of children with disabilities for special education and related services."1 Further, IDEA states that the child's placement "is as close as possible to the child's home."2 It is important to note that parents are part of the IEP (Individualized Education Program) Team that makes the placement decision.3 Families should not be walking into an IEP meeting and be told to sign the document; parents are a key part of the team that drafts and shapes the IEP.

LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT

IDEA also emphasizes that children with disabilities are entitled to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment. The least restrictive environment means that the first choice should be the school and classroom the child would have attended, if they didn't have a disability. Alternate placement only occurs if FAPE cannot be achieved even with the provision of appropriate supports and services This is what the IEP team needs to decide collaboratively together, based on what the child needs.