Children with disabilities who are enrolled in a public school have the right to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) through which they receive special education and related services. Parentally-placed private, parochial, and home school students with disabilities do not have the same individual right to receive special education and related services. Instead, a local education agency (LEA) must set aside a “proportionate share” of their IDEA Part B funds to provide services to parentally-placed private, parochial, and home schooled children with disabilities ages 5-21 who have been evaluated and determined eligible for special education services. Decisions about how to spend the proportionate share funds for services must be made in accordance with the consultation process.

General Requirements

• OSEP Memorandum 05-09 "Obligations of States and local educational agencies to parentally-placed private school children with disabilities".
• Questions & Answers on Serving Children with Disabilities Placed by Their Parents in Private Schools (OSEP, Updated Feb 2022)
• Missouri State Plan for Special Education, Part B, Regulation XIII - Private Schools
• September 23, 2021: Parentally Placed Private and Parochial School Students with Disabilities Virtual Support Meeting
  • Video: Parentally Placed Private and Parochial School Students with Disabilities
  • Parentally Placed Private and Parochial School Students with Disabilities: PowerPoint
  • Zoom Meeting Chat Transcript
  • Parentally Placed Private and Homeschooled Students FAQ
• Myth of the Month September 2021: Serving Private, Parochial and Homeschooled Students

Consultation Process

LEAs are required to meet with representatives from the private/parochial schools, including persons representing the parents of private/parochial schooled student and parents of home-schooled students, in an ongoing way to discuss the following:

• The child find process
• The amount of proportionate share funds available
• How often consultation will occur and for what reasons
• The design and provision of special education and related services
• How funds will be re-allocated if they run low and what happens if they run out
• Written explanation regarding services

Affirmation of Nonpublic School Consultation & Participation
Affirmation of Nonpublic School Consultation & Participation Guidance Document

 Proportionate Share

• Proportionate Share Guide
• Proportionate Share FAQs
• Calculating Proportionate Share
• Prop Share Calculation Worksheet
• Proportionate Share Estimated Calculations
• Additional Proportionate Share Information