Children with Disabilities Placed in Private Schools by the Local Education Agency (LEA)
If the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team, including the parent, decides that the most appropriate placement for a student is in a private school, the district that places the student in the private school continues to be responsible for the provision of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for the student. This includes ensuring the student receives the special education and related services included in the IEP and that those services are provided at no cost to the parent. The district must ensure that the education provided in the private school meets the standards that apply to other students with disabilities. In addition, the student and parent must be provided the same rights as other students with disabilities and their parents, including receiving a full instructional day for the full academic year, instruction in the Georgia Performance Standards, and participation in state assessments. These requirements apply to residential and private day schools in which local, state, or federal funds are used to pay for the cost of the student’s educational services.
Private Residential Programs
The Georgia Department of Education maintains a list of residential programs. It is the funding LEA’s responsibility to monitor the private facility to ensure that the students funded by the district and attending the private facility receive appropriate services.
Residential Program |
Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home |
Ault Academy Twin Cedars - BradfieldAult Academy Twin Cedars - Bradfield |
Coastal Harbor Treatment Center |
Devereux Ackerman Academy |
Education System Management |
George W. Hartmann Center |
Georgia Baptist Children's Home AMEC/Palmetto Campus |
Georgia Baptist Children's Home/Appling County |
Georgia Center for Youth |
Good Shepard Therapeutic Center |
Hillside, Inc. (Residential and Day Program) |
KidsPeace National Centers of Georgia |
Laurel Heights Academy |
Lighthouse Care Center of Augusta |
Morningstar Academy, Youth Estate Center |
Murphy-Harpst Children's Center |
The Methodist Home for Children and Youth |
Twin Cedars Youth Services/Georgia Industrial Children's Home |
Youth Villages Inner Harbour Campus |
Wellsprings Living |
|
Private Day Schools
For private day schools, the funding LEA is responsible for verifying that the school meets the minimal requirements for the provision of FAPE for students with disabilities. The LEA will maintain a collaborative relationship with the private day school in order to monitor the student’s progress and the implementation of the IEP.
For additional questions, you may contact Felicia Peavy, Program Specialist for Compliance at (404) 232-7893 or by email at fpeavy@doe.k12.ga.us.
