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Parentally Placed Private School Student Services


SMCPS Special Education Services for Parentally-Placed Private School Students

 

SMCPS is committed to ensuring transparency regarding the services available to students with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents or guardians in private schools within our jurisdiction.  Parentally-placed private school students refer to children with disabilities enrolled by their parents or guardians in private elementary or secondary schools, including religious schools or facilities. Through annual consultation with our private and parochial schools in St. Mary’s County, a plan is established to provide special education and related services to students.  Our plan, titled ‘Provision of Proportionate Share Services’, includes delivery models available for parentally placed private schools students with disabilities and is available below for reference.   

 

Parental Enrollment of a Student with a Disability in a Nonpublic School

  • Local school systems are responsible for identifying, locating, and evaluating all children with disabilities in their district, including those in private schools. 
  • If a parentally placed student is determined to need services, the local school system will develop a Service Plan, not an Individualized Education Program (IEP), as they are not entitled to the full range of public school services. 
  • Parentally placed students are entitled to receive "equitable services" from the public school system. These services are determined through a consultation process between the school system and representatives of the private schools. 
  • Parents should be aware that parentally placed students do not have an individual right to receive the same services they would receive if they were enrolled in a public school. 

 

A written copy of this information can be made available upon request to the SMCPS Department of Special Education at 301-475-5511 extension 32206.

 

Organizations like Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Special Education (CACSE), Partners for Success (PFS), and Parents' Place of Maryland offer support and information to families of children with disabilities, including those in private schools. 

 

Plan Document:

2025-2026 Provision of Proportionate Share Services