Are you considering private school for your child who has learning and thinking differences? Navigating special education services can feel complex, especially when exploring options outside of the public school system. It’s essential to understand how private schools approach specialized support, and that’s where the concept of an Individual Service Plan (ISP) becomes important. While Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are well-known in public schools, private schools often utilize ISPs to provide services. Let’s clarify what an individual service plan is and how it differs from an IEP, ensuring you’re well-informed about supporting your child’s educational journey in a private school setting.
Private schools have the option to offer special education services, but unlike public schools, they are not mandated to do so. For those private schools that choose to provide support, they may implement what’s known as an Instructional Services Plan or, more commonly, an Individual Service Plan (ISP). These ISPs are designed to facilitate specialized services within the framework of the private school’s resources and capabilities.
However, it’s crucial to recognize that if your child is enrolled in a private school, they are more likely to receive a service plan administered through your Local Education Agency (LEA) rather than directly from the private school itself. The LEA is the entity responsible for managing educational services and funding within a specific geographic area, which could be a state, region, or local school district.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that LEAs allocate funds for students with disabilities who are placed in private schools by their parents. Due to the finite nature of this funding, your child will be eligible for what are termed “equitable services.” These equitable services are designed to be comparable to those outlined in an IEP but may be more limited in scope compared to the services available in a public school setting. This difference in service provision is a key distinction between service plans and IEPs.
To better understand these differences, let’s examine a direct comparison:
| IEP (Individualized Education Program) | Service Plan (Individual Service Plan) |
|---|---|
| Definition | A legally binding document outlining a public school student’s special education experience. It guarantees the provision of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). |
| Purpose | Specifies the special education services, supports, and specialized instruction a child with a disability will receive in a public school, at no cost to parents. |
| Legal Basis | Governed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal law for special education in public schools. |
| Funding under IDEA | IDEA mandates individualized services to ensure FAPE for public school students with disabilities, regardless of budget limitations. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Child must: 1) Have one of the 13 disabilities listed under IDEA. 2) Require special education to benefit from the general education curriculum. |
| Development Team | IEP team includes: Parent/guardian, general education teacher, special education teacher, evaluation specialist, school administrator overseeing special education. |
| Parental Consent | Written consent required for evaluation and before IEP services can be provided. |
| Rights and Protections | IDEA ensures services in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and provides procedural safeguards and due process rights for parents and children. |
| Review and Revision | IEP must be reviewed annually and re-evaluation every three years. |
Understanding the nuances of an Individual Service Plan is crucial for parents considering or currently utilizing private education for their child with learning and thinking differences. While private schools can be a beneficial environment for many students, it’s important to be aware that special education services are structured differently compared to public schools. Service plans offer a pathway to support, but the scope and nature of these services are defined by the equitable services framework and the LEA’s resources. By understanding these distinctions, parents can effectively advocate for their child’s needs within the private school context and ensure they receive the appropriate support to thrive academically and personally.
For further insights, you can explore one parent’s personal experience with service plans in a private school. You might also find it helpful to review a checklist of factors to consider when choosing a private school and learn more about private schools specifically designed for students with learning and thinking differences. If you’re considering school vouchers to facilitate a private school transition, it’s also beneficial to understand how school vouchers work.
