Special Education in Tennessee Public Charter Schools

Overview & Synopsis

Charter schools must abide by federal special education laws and regulations because they are part of the public education system. However, the way this gets carried out in practice differs widely due to many factors, the most important of which are a charter school's "legal identity" and its "linkage" to a traditional LEA for purposes of special education. Familiarity with these concepts is critical to understanding a charter school's level of responsibility for special education. This section is divided into two parts: (1) A discussion of the legal status of charter schools and their linkage to other local education agencies (LEAs), and (2) A synopsis of federal laws that are most relevant to special education in charter schools. The content of this section is intended for those readers who may not fully understand the critical importance of a charter school's legal status within a state's public education system, or may not have a working knowledge of, or need a brief update on, federal special education laws and regulations. A glossary is included.