PARENTS OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND OPEN ENROLLMENT - CHARACTERISTICS AND REASONS FOR TRANSFER

This study examines the characteristics of students with disabilities who participate in Open Enrollment (one of seven enrollment options av ailable in Minnesota), the reasons they participate, and the sources o f information and decision-making process involved with choosing anoth er district. Surveys of 347 parents revealed three primary reasons for transferring their children: The child's special education needs bein g better met at the new district, more personal attention from the tea cher, and dissatisfaction with the resident school. Other factors, suc h as disability category, parents' income, and location, were also ana lyzed.