Philadelphia: District spent >$370M on SPED students attending private schools

Dec 18, 2025, News SSBCrack: Parents Fight for Educational Choices as Pennsylvania Schools Struggle to Support Special Needs Students

https://news.ssbcrack.com/parents-fight-for-educational-choices-as-pennsylvania-schools-struggle-to-support-special-needs-students/

Shannon Mitchell’s journey with her eight-year-old daughter, Brianna, has been nothing short of tumultuous. For several years, Brianna, who is nonverbal and was diagnosed with autism at the age of two, struggled in her public school in Philadelphia, where she could not receive the necessary support and resources like speech therapy. Instead, her teacher frequently relegated her to the back of the classroom, where she often played alone. This situation became increasingly frustrating for Shannon, especially when she observed aides engaged with their phones rather than assisting Brianna.

Determined to secure the educational resources Brianna required, Shannon spent months advocating for her daughter’s rights, which became a familiar struggle. This was not the first time she had encountered challenges with the School District; her older son, Caleb, also a special needs student, faced similar battles. In the end, Shannon was compelled to sue the District, ultimately resulting in Brianna’s transfer to a more suitable private school, which the District agreed to fund, albeit reluctantly.

Unfortunately, the Mitchell family’s experience is reflective of a broader issue within Pennsylvania’s public education system. When public schools cannot adequately implement a student’s individualized education plan, they may suggest transferring the student to an approved private institution, often leaving the District responsible for tuition costs. Recent analyses highlight that during the 2023-24 school year, Pennsylvania public schools allocated over $370 million to offset the costs of special education students attending private schools, averaging approximately $44,000 per student. Within Philadelphia alone, the District spent $35 million on 681 special needs students attending non-district schools, at an average of $51,000 each.

Despite the significant expenditure, the concept of transferring to private schools remains poorly understood, with a mere 3 percent of Pennsylvania’s special education students making the switch. Many families face considerable challenges in securing these options, often waiting months or years for legally entitled services. In many cases, parents feel compelled to engage in litigation to attain necessary resources, a process that disproportionately affects lower-income families who may not have the means to navigate it successfully.

The disparity highlights a troubling reality: wealthier families often have more opportunities for school choice, whether by living in affluent communities with strong public schools or having the financial means to cover private school tuition. In contrast, poorer families remain trapped in underperforming schools with limited alternatives.

While Pennsylvania does offer scholarships through programs like the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC), the demand has far outstripped the availability of funds, leading to denial of thousands of applications each year. Even a recent budget increase designed to address this gap provides insufficient resources to meet the growing need.

Shannon, during a recent legislative hearing, passionately asserted the importance of educational choice, emphasizing that “these kids deserve a chance” to thrive in environments where they can take pride in their learning. Her plea underscores a deeper call for Pennsylvania to reevaluate its approach to educational opportunities, ensuring that all students—regardless of their family’s financial situation—have access to the resources they need to succeed.