Chicago Charter School Faces Oversight for Special Education Failures

The Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy, a charter school located in Little Village on Chicago’s Southwest Side, has been sanctioned by state officials for failing to address years of special education violations. The state found that the school had committed “repeated and unresolved” infractions over a span of three years, prompting the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to implement stringent oversight measures.

This decision was revealed during a board meeting on April 6, 2023, when Josh Long, CPS’s special education chief, presented a letter mandated by Illinois education officials. The letter detailed alarming issues, including reports that some students went without required services for up to three years. Approximately 100 of the school’s 500 students reportedly missed between 12,000 and 80,000 minutes of essential instruction and services.

The school, which is operated by Instituto del Progreso Latino, attributed its difficulties to the unexpected resignation of its entire special education staff just a day before the 2020 academic year commenced. This disruption has compounded the ongoing challenge of recruiting qualified educators and clinicians to provide necessary support for students with disabilities.

In response to the sanction, the nonprofit organization emphasized its commitment to students and stated that the violations were not due to a lack of dedication. “We take this sanction very seriously,” the organization said in a statement. “We want to be clear that these violations did not stem from a lack of commitment to our students or a disregard for their needs.”

The state’s oversight includes bi-weekly meetings and monthly visits to ensure compliance. The CPS is responsible for authorizing charter schools and ensuring that students with disabilities receive appropriate educational support. Alberto Mendez, who became principal of the academy last year, highlighted the nationwide shortage of special education staff during the meeting, noting that the school currently employs five of the eight required special education teachers and has filled other key positions such as social workers and aides.

In support of the school’s leadership, staff members spoke positively about the progress made in addressing the issues outlined in the state letter. Jaqlyn Grandsart, a social worker at the academy, explained that the mass resignation left the school without the necessary systems or personnel to provide timely services. She added, “Over the past year, we have intentionally rebuilt staffing, systems, and oversight. We are now currently at 100% compliance.”

Special education teacher Dessie Marek echoed this sentiment, noting that improvements in the program have led to enhanced student performance. Marek shared an example of a student who had previously struggled with engagement and assignment completion but is now attending class regularly and achieving passing grades. “Over the past year, I have seen measurable progress in our special education program,” she stated, expressing optimism for the future.

CPS officials acknowledged that Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy is not alone in its struggles. A recent review found that nearly all of the sixteen charter schools approved in the spring needed to enhance their special education services. As many schools compete for a limited pool of qualified staff, addressing these issues remains a critical concern for the district.

The ongoing situation at Instituto highlights the challenges faced by charter schools in meeting the needs of students with disabilities while navigating staffing shortages. The intense scrutiny and oversight from CPS aim to ensure that all students receive the support and education they are entitled to, as mandated by law.