Special education and private schools - Principals' points of view

Principals of private schools were questioned about the practices of their schools regarding students with special needs. This mixed-design study was a part of a larger study to determine the current state of special education services in private schools in Tennessee. Initial demographic information on schools was gathered and analyzed by a quantitative survey. Open-ended questions regarding the mission of the schools, admissions and continued enrollment policies, and strengths and weaknesses of the schools as they pertained to serving students with special needs were presented in a questionnaire. The results indicate that leadership style may play a role in the acceptance of students with special needs in private schools. More research is needed due to the push for school choice through the No Child Left Behind Act and state voucher programs.