Charter Schools and Special Education: Systemic Challenges and Opportunities for Innovation

Both charter schools and special education are systems designed to improve the educational experiences of a specific subset of students. However, one system was borne of the goal of increased school autonomy while the other necessarily requires compliance with myriad state and federal regulations. This article explores the resulting tension between the two and the unique challenges charters face in educating students with disabilities, including legal constraints, enrollment practices, and funding disparities. Innovative solutions to these challenges are also discussed, including pseudo-governance structures, charter-district collaborations, and state laws providing charters options in how to provide special education services to students.