Obligation of Local Education Agencies (LEA) to Parentally-Placed Private School Children with
Disabilities
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has recognized that the LEA may lack accurate data at
this time to calculate the proportionate amount of federal funds consistent with the requirements of IDEA
2004 that must be expended on services for parentally-placed private school children with disabilities
attending private schools located within its jurisdiction.
For 2005-06:
The first step in the calculation is to determine the number of eligible public school students and the number
of eligible private school students (i.e., students who have been evaluated and determined eligible under the
IDEA. These students may or may not be receiving services). At the start of the school year, a school
district must make every effort to obtain data from private schools within its district regarding the number of
eligible students enrolled in its school. Th
The district then divides its total federal fund allocation for 2005-06 by the total eligible public and private
school students to obtain a per student allocation.
This per student allocation is then multiplied by the
number of eligible private school students. This product is the proportionate share for parentally-placed
private school students.
Example: District A has 100 eligible public school students and 20 eligible private school students. District
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Per student allocation = $100,000.00/120 (total number of eligible students) = $833.33
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Proportionate share for parentally-placed private school students = $833.33 x 20 = $16,666.60
It should be noted that, regardless of this flexibility in calculation for this year, LEAs are bound by all other
provisions of IDEA 2004. The LEA is required to consult with representatives of private schools and
representatives of parents of parentally-placed private school children with disabilities including those
children with disabilities who receive or are eligible to receive a John M. McKay Scholarship for Students
with Disabilities regarding the following:
1.
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The child find process and how parentally-placed private school children suspected of having a
disability can participate equitably, including how parents, teachers, and private school officials will
be informed of the process;
2.
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The determination of the proportionate amount of federal funds available to serve parentally-placed
private school children with disabilities including the determination of how the amount was
calculated;
3.
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How, where, and by whom special education and related services will be provided for parentally-
placed private school children with disabilities, including a discussion of direct or alternate service
delivery mechanisms; how such services will be apportioned if funds are insufficient to serve all
children; and how and when those decisions will be made; and
4.
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How, if the LEA disagrees with the views of the private school officials on the provision of services
or the types of services, the LEA will provide to the private school officials a written explanation of
reasons why the LEA chose not to provide services directly or through a contract.
The Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) Associate Centers are charged with the
responsibility of assisting the district in fulfilling the child find obligations. It is, therefore, appropriate to
enter into discussions with the associate center serving your LEA to develop or amend the child find
procedures regarding the responsibilities of the LEA and FDLRS for insuring the obligations of the LEA are
met for this population.