Are children in private preschools entitled to FAPE (i.e., special education services)?

Question

Are children in private preschools entitled to FAPE (i.e., special education services)?

Answer 1

No, FAPE is a federal law that only applies to public schools

Answer 2

ALL children over the age of three are entitled to a FAPE.  FAPE can be many things.  Placement ini a public preschool, placement at a private preschool with either parents or school district funding the placement, home programs, consultation services and much, much more.  I have seen parents paying for private preschool with a speech therapist, behaviorist, or other service provider providing the service in the private preschool and/or in the home.  I have seen school districts pay for attending a NPS (non-public school).  This is fairly common for children with autism.

Answer 3

If the child has previously been diagnosed, or you suspect a need for services, you need to contact the school district to evaluate the child.  The school district is required to provide services either through early childhood intervention or through the school itself.  You may not get to continue to send the child to a private preschool to receive these services, but you will be a part of the committee that decides where the services (and what services) will be provided.  

Answer 4

Lots of people say NO, but the truth is that a private school IS suppose to provide special ed services to children who qualify  *IF* the school is recieving state and/or federal funds.

The law that mandates special ed called IDEA, states this specifically. Private schools do not like to inform if they recieve these funds or not because they don't like to help with special ed  (just like public schools don't) but this is a matter of PUBLIC record so what you can do is call your state dept of education and ask if this specific school recieves any state/federal funds.

Special ed services are for children ages 3-21, so a child under 3 yrs old won't qualify.  

Answer 5

Maybe - FAPE is Free and Appropriate Public Eduction.  Private schools are are not public education and they are typically not required to provide or accomodate any students with special needs.  If the preschooler is identified has having a need a plan can be developed to meet that need.  It may include a Public school program - it may include consultation to the Private school it may include a variety of services that the student could be transported to a public school site to get based on needs of the student.  FAPE would not be a term that you would use - the IEP would have to be developed after an evaluation by the public school district where the child lives.

The term FAPE however refers to Public Education.  It is your choice as a parent to select a private school however they are not required although some may do so - to support students with special needs.