Thread by @il_fps

@louise_q10 Even worse actually—state regs say IL voucher schools *should* comply with "applicable federal & State laws prohibiting discrimination" isbe.net/Documents/425A… so it's possible they shouldn't be violating Title IX, IDEA, ADA, etc ("applicable" wording though makes it unclear! 🫤)

@louise_q10 It is clear that IL Human Rights Act applies to any non-religious schools, so secular schools taking voucher $$ shouldn't be discriminating—but religious schools aren't public accommodations, so ILHRA isn't applicable? (even tho they are taking public $$!)
ilga.gov/legislation/il…

@louise_q10 From ISBE: "When you choose to place your child with a disability in a private school, your child does not have a right to receive any of the special education or related services he or she would receive if enrolled in the public school." isbe.net/Documents/nc_p…

@louise_q10 So do religious schools getting Invest in Kids voucher $ have to comply with IDEA or Sec. 504 under state regulations? It's not clear to us.

@louise_q10 To add to sketchiness: voucher schools get *more* money when they enroll a child with disability eligible for services! ilga.gov/legislation/il… Even tho we don't know if they have to comply w/ IDEA. & state also doesn't report which schools are getting pro-rated vouchers for SWDs

@louise_q10 This is also the case for English-language learners. No data on ELLs receiving vouchers either at state or school level from IL Dept of Rev or ISBE. i.e. zero transparency/accountability/public oversight #SunsetInvestinKids

@louise_q10 unroll @threadreaderapp

@louise_q10 Here's what Empower IL, the largest scholarship granting org (=voucher middleman), tells families their rights are wrt voucher schools (Fall 2020 empowerillinois.org/wp-content/upl…)