Expanding the LRE Feasibility Study

In response to DC’s special education crisis, the DC Special Education Co-operative and PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families joined together to find solutions. We focused our work on identifying gaps in the continuum of special education placements offered by DC Charters.

Our study examined the feasibility of establishing and growing DC Charter SPED Satellite Classrooms for students in need of self-contained learning environments at risk for more restrictive placements in non-public settings. Findings clearly indicate that there is an unprecedented, urgent need in Washington, DC for innovative SPED solutions like ours.

On Monday, March 8, the Co-operative held a forum for the feasibility study release. The forum, attended by OSSE’s Assistant Superintendent for Special Education, the Director of OSSE’s Office of Charter Finance and Support, representatives from: DC Council Chair Gray’s office, the US Department of Education, the Association of Chartered Public Schools, and LEAs, was a huge success. Participants engaged in a lively discussion and OSSE clearly stated its support for the project. The next step is securing funding. We will keep members posted on our progress.

Read the full study: “Expanding the Least Restrictive Environment: Growing Service Options in DC Charters”.

This project was made possible by a grant from OSSE’s Office of Charter Finance and Support.

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