Vouchers Promise Students With Disabilities a Path to Private School. Parents Say That’s Not the Reality.

Twelve-year-old Amelia Johnson, who was born with a rare genetic anomaly and is nonverbal, has required extensive medical care throughout her life. Her mother, Angela Johnson, found out about a state-funded voucher program in Florida for children with disabilities and hoped it would provide Amelia with a better educational experience.

The voucher, worth about $10,500, allowed Johnson to pay for private school tuition and related expenses. However, despite her efforts to find a suitable private school, Johnson couldn't find any that could adequately accommodate Amelia's needs. Private schools are generally not required to educate students with disabilities and often reject such students due to the costs, complexities, or disruptive nature of their needs.

This leaves children with disabilities few options beyond public schools, which are losing resources as more students choose vouchers.