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KSDE clarifies IDEA duties for parentally placed private-school students
Summary
KSDE summarized district responsibilities under IDEA for parentally placed private-school students, including child-find obligations, ongoing consultation with private schools and parent representatives, and proportionate-share calculations for federal IDEA funds and equitable services.
Brian Dempsey, assistant director for Special Education and Title Services, told the board that under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) districts retain child-find responsibilities for students attending private schools within their district boundaries, regardless of residence. He said districts must conduct timely and meaningful consultation with private schools and parent representatives, carry out child-find and eligibility procedures consistent with public-school timelines, and report counts so KSDE can calculate proportionate-share federal allocations.
Dempsey explained that proportionate-share funding supports equitable services for eligible parentally placed private-school students (not a district obligation to provide FAPE) and that transportation and service location decisions are made through consultation between district and private-school leaders. He emphasized that districts must report counts by the fall snapshot (last Friday in October or December 1) and that parents or districts should reach out to KSDE for assistance when disputes arise.
Board members asked for parent-facing materials; staff said KSDE can assist by routing inquiries and clarifying rights and processes; KSDE noted the complexity of individual cases.
