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Expanding School Choice: A Win for Families or a Risk for Students with Disabilities?

On January 29, 2025, the White House issued an executive order titled "Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families," aiming to enhance school choice across the country. While the policy emphasizes increasing access to private, charter, and faith-based schools, there are significant concerns about how this shift impacts students with disabilities.


At first glance, expanding school choice sounds like a positive development. Parents can select the educational environment they believe best suits their child's needs, rather than being restricted to their assigned public school. However, for students with disabilities, the reality of school choice programs—including vouchers and Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)—is far more complicated.


Graphic featuring the title 'Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families' written in white text over a dark blue background. This is superimposed over a bright yellow thought cloud with "WTF!?" written inside it. The text 'Executive Order January 29, 2025' is shown in smaller font.
Graphic featuring the title 'Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families' written in white text over a dark blue background. This is superimposed over a bright yellow thought cloud with "WTF!?" written inside it. The text 'Executive Order January 29, 2025' is shown in smaller font.

What the Research Tells Us About School Choice and Special Education

Research from the Center on Reinventing Public Education and the National Council on Disability has highlighted key challenges students with disabilities face in school choice systems:


  1. Loss of Legal Protections – Public schools are required by law to provide students with disabilities a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, when families use a voucher or ESA to enroll in a private school, they often forfeit these protections. Private schools are not obligated to follow IDEA’s strict requirements, which can lead to gaps in services and accommodations.


  2. Lack of Accountability – Public schools must meet federal special education standards, but many private schools accepting vouchers do not have the same oversight. Without strong accountability measures, families may struggle to ensure their child receives the necessary support.


  3. Hidden Financial Burdens – While school vouchers provide funding for tuition, they rarely cover the full cost of attending a private school, leaving parents to pay out of pocket for additional expenses like transportation, therapy services, and assistive technology. This disproportionately impacts low-income families.


  4. Challenges in Finding a True “Choice” – In many areas, the number of high-quality private schools that specialize in serving students with disabilities is limited. Parents may technically have the freedom to choose, but if the right supports are not available, their options remain constrained.


Policy Implications and Recommendations

If the goal of expanding school choice is to truly benefit all students, including those with disabilities, policymakers must address these challenges. Key recommendations include:


  • Ensure Informed Decision-Making: Families must receive clear, accessible information about how their legal rights change when opting for school choice programs.

  • Mandate Accountability for Private Schools: Schools receiving public funds through vouchers or ESAs should be required to meet IDEA’s core protections or demonstrate how they will provide equivalent services.

  • Increase Funding for Special Education Services: If school choice policies move forward, additional funding must be allocated to support students with disabilities in both public and private settings.


A Path Forward

Expanding educational options should not mean reducing rights for students with disabilities. School choice policies must be designed with strong safeguards to ensure equity and accessibility. As families navigate these decisions, advocates and policymakers must work together to ensure that choice does not come at the expense of quality education and necessary supports.


For parents of students with disabilities, the need for informed advocacy has never been more crucial. As school choice programs grow, families must be empowered to understand their rights, demand accountability, and push for policies that truly support all learners.

2 Comments


Thank you so much for sharing this. This is so so important!

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This is so great! Thank you for sharing!

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