Special Education Voucher Programs, Reflective Judgment, and Future Legislative Recommendations

Abstract

As of 2015, 17 special education voucher programs (SVPs) existed in 13 states and proposals continue to emerge. Eligible parents utilize these vouchers to enroll their children in private schools and thereby relinquish special education services and protections provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Using a reflective judgment lens, this article presents a balanced review of the competing perspectives that shape the debates over SVPs. In addition, this article recommends how future SVP legislation could better serve the needs of students with disabilities, their families, and both public and private schools.

Notes

As will be discussed, we included voucher and education savings account programs in our analysis, but did not include tax credit/deduction programs. If tax credit/deduction programs were included, the total choice state programs serving parents of students with disabilities would increase to 24 programs in 17 states.