Private School Model Hard to Replicate

WALDWICK, N.J. -- Some administrators at private schools for the disabled doubt whether public school in-house programs can replicate their own individualized work with students.
Alice Keener, director of the Forum School in Waldwick, points to the pressures on public school districts to serve large numbers of both general and special education students.
For instance, many of the public school programs mainstream autistic and disabled children in general education classes. Keener said that practice may not be ideal for many children on the autism spectrum who have behavioral difficulties. Also, such students will likely face social challenges, she said.
Her non-profit school is unique, she said, because its therapeutic approach nurtures students with behavioral and other difficulties.