Charter schools and equal access of students with disabilities subgroup : an analysis of webpage marketing and recruitment of students with disabilities
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Sarah E. Sanchez-Kirmse (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Kathryn Hytten
Abstract: Parents and families of students with disabilities want an equal opportunity to choose a school for their student. But within this market-based education system, is this a reality that is available to them? According to the law, all public schools, charter or traditional, must offer Exceptional Children’s programming. Unfortunately, current data suggest that charter schools nationwide, especially those in Central North Carolina where I focused this study, are lacking in their effort to recruit and support this subgroup of students. The purpose of this study was to investigate approaches charter schools in Central North Carolina used to market and recruit students with disabilities through their websites and the direct relation it had to their charter application for charter. In this study, I investigated ways charter schools recruit, enroll, and market to families of students with disabilities through their websites. I was particularly interested in recruitment processes, enrollment policies, and the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) at charter schools, especially given research that shows students with disabilities are sometimes dissuaded from applying to charter schools. I then analyzed the charter school application for charter approval. Two key items I looked for was information related to SWD population and their plans for service delivery. I also looked at the proposed targeted subgroup the charter projected to serve. I was interested in barriers, both explicit and hidden, to charter school enrollment. Findings from this study contribute to existing literature and inform future practice and research. Findings in this research include the lack of easy accessibility for parents/families to acquire information for their children, a direct relationship between the charter school application section, “Targeted Student Population,” and the school’s mission and vision statement, and the charter application for charters need for standardization. Based on my findings, I have included recommendations for future research and accountability regarding several aspects of charter schools. Some of these cover stakeholders who approve charter applications and charter schools who serve students with disabilities, pursuing grant opportunities, and unifying the application documents and process. I also make recommendations for increasing accessibility of information for all student subgroups.
Charter schools and equal access of students with disabilities subgroup : an analysis of webpage marketing and recruitment of students with disabilities
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Created on 8/1/2023
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2023
- Keywords
- Charter School, IDEA, Students With Disabilities
- Subjects
- Charter schools $x Internet marketing $z North Carolina
- Students with disabilities $z North Carolina
- Educational equalization $z North Carolina