School Closings in Chicago: Understanding the Experiences of Students With Disabilities and Their Families

• In Event: 54.052 - School Choice Implementation: Finance, Access, and Leadership

Abstract

In June 2013 Chicago Public Schools closed 49 elementary schools. Students with disabilities were disproportionately affected by this decision, and at the time of the announcement there were many concerns about how these students and their families would experience the school transition and their new school environments. Using interview data, we find that most families describe their students having a positive first year in new schools, often after working through initial challenges; however, some families encountered many challenges in their new schools, particularly around IEP implementation and losing special education services. We also find that parents’ perceptions of a school’s ability to meet their students’ special needs was a primary factor and constraint within their school choice experience.

Authors

• Jennifer R Cowhy, Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy Human Development and Social Policy

• Molly F. Gordon, University of Chicago

• Maria Luisa de la Torre, University of Chicago

• Paul Moore, Consortium on Chicago School Research