Like so much else in education and beyond, we are seeing the familiar pattern of defunding, claiming crisis, and then calling for privatization in special education.
This past week in Chicago, our unelected Board of Education recently voted to expand contracts with private, for-profit organizations to meet the growing needs of our children with special needs as well as at-risk populations.
Of course, this move is nothing new in the world of special education. In Illinois, there are a multitude of private operators (both non-profit and for-profit, though the tax status is mostly irrelevant in practice.) Some of these schools are beautiful places. Some have lovely sounding websites, covering up truly horrible, poorly-run warehouses for students with special needs. But they are almost all very very expensive.
In fact, as these schools expand in number, investors understand there is a huge profit margin to be had on the backs of these vulnerable students. Districts, by federal law, must pay for these placements if it is determined to be the best environment for the student.