Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Services and Provisions for Students with Disabilities in Home Education, Charter Schools and Not-for-Profit Private Schools

About the Webinar:

This comprehensive session provided critical guidance on how charter schools must fulfill their obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to identify, evaluate, and serve students with disabilities. Patricia Bodiford, Chief of the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services at the Florida Department of Education, clarified that charter schools are public schools with the same legal responsibilities as traditional district schools when it comes to special education—they cannot refuse to enroll students with disabilities, must provide a full continuum of services including specialized instruction and related services, and are accountable for ensuring students with IEPs receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment. She addressed common misconceptions, emphasizing that charter schools cannot simply refer students to the district for services or claim they lack capacity to serve certain disabilities. Instead, they must build internal capacity, contract for necessary services, or collaborate with their sponsor district to ensure all required services are available to eligible students.

Bodiford walked attendees through key IDEA requirements including Child Find obligations (actively identifying students who may need evaluation), proper evaluation procedures, IEP development and implementation, procedural safeguards for parents, discipline provisions for students with disabilities, and maintenance of confidential records. She explained how charter schools can access IDEA funding, the importance of having qualified special education personnel, and strategies for building effective exceptional student education (ESE) programs even in small schools with limited resources. The presentation addressed the specific provisions for students attending charter schools who were previously served in traditional public schools, home education programs, or private schools, clarifying when and how IDEA services transfer or must be provided. Bodiford also discussed dispute resolution options, compliance monitoring, and consequences of failing to meet IDEA requirements, including complaints, due process hearings, and potential corrective action. She emphasized that while charter schools have operational flexibility in many areas, special education compliance is non-negotiable and requires dedicated resources, ongoing professional development, and strong systems. Attendees left with clearer understanding of their legal obligations, practical strategies for building compliant ESE programs, and resources for technical assistance and support from the Department of Education.