Chicago Charter School Faces Big Trouble for Ignoring Special Needs Students

Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy in Little Village faces strict oversight after a probe revealed serious issues with special education services.

The Problem

• Duration: Issues persisted for three years without resolution.
• Findings:
• Students missed critical lessons and services.
• Some students received no help throughout high school.

School's Response

• Staffing Crisis: All special education staff quit suddenly.
• Hiring Challenges: School claims difficulty in filling positions.
• Current Status:
• Hired more staff.
• Implemented new systems.
• Claims to be fully compliant now.

Oversight Measures

• Meetings: Bi-weekly with city officials.
• Inspections: Monthly visits to ensure compliance.

Broader Issues

• Charter Schools: Almost all approved this spring need to improve disability support.
• Teacher Shortage: Principal cites a nationwide shortage of special education teachers.

Staff Testimonials

• Social Worker: Rebuilt everything from scratch after staff exodus.
• Special Education Teacher: Students showing improvement, e.g., one now passing classes and attending regularly.