U.S. Department Of Education May Issue New Guidance on Charters and Special Education

According to Education Daily, the recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on public charter schools and special education has prompted U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-California, to call on the Senate to pass a charter school bill adopted last year by the House. "The bill requires charter schools to have recruitment and enrollment practices that promote inclusion, retention, and engage students with limited opportunities to attend charter schools," he said. U.S. Department of Education innovation and improvement chief James Shelton said new forthcoming guidelines may include "charter schools' obligations regarding recruitment, admissions, provision of a free appropriate public education, and accessibility." According to National Association of Charter School Authorizers President Greg Richmond, "Improving access and services for students with disabilities is a shared responsibility, requiring not only action by charter schools but also state education agencies that make sure charter schools get the necessary resources and supports, and authorizers who must actively monitor what's happening."

Source: Education Daily (subscription)

Contact Information

Office of School Innovations

Maryland State Department of Education

200 West Baltimore Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

Phone:

410-767-3677

Email:

charterschools@msde.state.md.us

Charter Schools Home Page

Charter Schools

National Charter School News

	2009 - Federal Focus on Charter Schools
	Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, Speaks Out
	Blackboard Pulpit, Encouraging the spread of charter schools
	Brooklyn's John King tapped to lead school reform efforts