Advisory Regarding Students Placed in a Private Academic School by a Public School District (Publicly Placed Students)
The State Board of Private Academic Schools licenses schools that meet the requirements of its regulations. These regulations can be found at 22 PA Code, Chapters 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, and 63.
Students with disabilities who are publicly placed in licensed private academic schools by a school district are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as set forth in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA); and applicable Pennsylvania State Board of Education Regulations found at 22 PA Code Chapter 14. For such students, it is the responsibility of the school district to provide FAPE, as per the IDEA and Chapter 14. Review the Department of Education's Basic Education Circular (BEC) “Placement Options for Special Education".
Licensing procedures for Private Academic Schools do not include a review of compliance with IDEA and Chapter 14. Thus, the license granted by this Board for a private academic school does not ensure compliance with IDEA and Chapter 14.
Questions regarding FAPE, IDEA, Chapter 14, and the specific requirements that must be met by school districts that place students in private schools for purposes of providing FAPE should be directed to the Bureau of Special Education at (717) 783-6134.
Questions regarding private academic school licensure should be directed to ra-nppss@pa.gov.