Please provide historical data regarding savings from the quality of special education services we provide for classic autism/Asperger's and extension compared to what the cost would have been in non-public schools?

Question#: 42

ANSWER:

The following programs were developed to meet students’ needs within a district school, rather than placing students in a nonpublic setting.  Specifically, the program at Magruder High School was developed in cooperation with the Maryland State Department of Education and is grant funded. The primary goal of this program is to serve students in a public setting, to avoid placement in a nonpublic school. Historical cost savings are difficult to determine as costs are based on a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and placement decisions are made on an annual basis, possibly changing each year.  IEP teams continue to be able to consider both Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and nonpublic options at each IEP team meeting.

There are significant nonmonetary benefits for students with disabilities who are served in MCPS.  These include access to nondisabled peers throughout the school day, availability of a range of extracurricular activities and clubs, access to cotaught general education classes for diploma-bound students, and instruction using the MCPS curriculum. In addition, there is a potential reduction in travel time for students who attend an MCPS school.

MCPS Program

Number of Years Program has Existed

Current Enrollment

MCPS Average Cost Per Student

Nonpublic Equivalent

Difference in Cost Per Student

Approximate Cost Savings for Fiscal 2020

Extensions Program

15 years

69

$67,844

$106,851

$39,007

$2,691,483

Classic Autism Program

38 years

483

$38,279

$106,851

$68,572

$33,120,276

Col. Zadok Magruder High School Enhanced Social Emotional Special Education Services (SESES) Program

3 years

56

$36,300

$74,583

$38,283

$2,143,848