New Jersey students with disabilities are the least likely in the U.S. to be integrated with non-disabled peers.
One key reason is the extensive network of separate schools, which districts use to outsource education for these students.
The state has over 100 private schools and eight county-run districts for students with disabilities.
Districts allocate hundreds of millions of dollars to place students in private schools rather than investing in local staffing and programs. This cost New Jersey taxpayers $784 million in 2024, excluding transportation, up from $725 million the previous year. This cycle increases reliance on separate schools and may infringe on federal rights, which mandate students spend maximum time learning alongside non-disabled peers.
Often, parents feel pressured by school administrators to accept out-of-district placements. At times, parents willingly choose separate schools after failing to secure necessary support within local schools.
“Whatever it is that their kids need within the district, they’re not getting,” said Amanda Villamar, a special education parent and advocate in New Jersey. “The question becomes: Why are these services in private schools and not necessarily integrated into our public school system?”
Approximately 30,000 students with disabilities in New Jersey, or 13%, attend separate private or public schools, the highest rate in the nation. Nationwide, only 4% attend separate schools.
New Jersey’s history of excluding children with disabilities from public classrooms dates back to the 1910s, when the state promoted separate schools as a humane alternative to banning them from schools entirely.
In the 1970s, when Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), only 20% of students with disabilities were enrolled in public schools. The law guarantees the right to learn alongside non-disabled peers “to the maximum extent” possible.
Parents and children nationwide challenged state laws that excluded students with disabilities, leading to the passage of IDEA. New Jersey repealed statutes allowing exclusion of “untrainable” children in 1992, but separate schools remained integral to its decentralized education system of about 600 districts.
The New Jersey Department of Education emphasizes placing students based on individual needs, including out-of-district programs. “New Jersey is uniquely positioned in this regard, with a longstanding infrastructure of out-of-district options and many small local public school districts,” department spokesman Michael Yaple said.
The rate of New Jersey districts placing students in separate schools has declined over two decades, but more parents opt for private schools, often due to a lack of viable options.
Ellen Woodcock’s son attends a county-run school for students with disabilities, where teachers understand his autism better than in his home district. Despite his interest in geography, the school focuses on social skills over subjects like science or social studies and lacks a library.
“I feel like he’s not being challenged, like he’s kind of pigeonholed,” said Woodcock. “We just felt like we didn’t have a choice.”
Her son initially thrived in general education in Haddonfield, New Jersey, but was later shifted to separate settings. Woodcock felt the school was unable or unwilling to support his autism-related learning needs, leading her to move him to a specialized school out of desperation.
Haddonfield officials can’t comment on individual students due to privacy laws but highlight that 69% of students with disabilities spend most of their time in general education, compared to 45% statewide.
“We are proud of our inclusive practices and the strong sense of belonging we strive to create for all students,” district officials said.
In Haddonfield, 19% of parents of students with disabilities choose private schools, compared to 7% statewide.
Woodcock plans to return her son to the district for sixth grade, hoping for a balance of special education support and integration in general classrooms.
IDEA mandates that students with disabilities be placed in separate schools only if a regular classroom isn’t feasible, even with support. Placement decisions involve a team of parents, teachers, and officials and are reviewed annually.
The Department of Education requires placement based on individual needs, not disability type or school resources. In New Jersey, some parents feel placements are often determined by diagnosis alone.
Advocates note districts argue it’s challenging to provide services for all disabilities, fueling reliance on private and county-run schools with specialized programs.
Some districts start special education programs only to abandon them due to funding or staffing issues, said Paul Barger, a special education lawyer.
Returning students to district schools would require additional funding. New Jersey lawmakers are debating a $400 million boost for special education services in public schools, while maintaining $420 million for private school tuition.
Some parents prefer private schools, despite losing federal protections. ASAH, representing New Jersey private schools for students with disabilities, argues these schools are not necessarily more costly and provide necessary services.
John Mulholland of ASAH emphasizes individualized placement decisions, noting private schools can offer interactions with non-disabled peers through events.
Nicole Lannutti, whose daughter Sophia has multiple disabilities, managed to place her in public school, prioritizing inclusion. However, she highlights challenges in middle school inclusion efforts.
Lannutti advocates for public schools to enhance services, ensuring students’ right to education. “When it comes to my kid, it’s not that she should go because this district can’t handle it,” Lannutti said. “They should learn how to do it.”
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