Sacramento Families Seek Special Education Alternatives Amid School System Challenges

In the Sacramento area, a number of parents have been compelled to seek educational alternatives outside of the public school system for their children with disabilities due to insufficient services. Homeschooling and private schools that specialize in special education are among the options families have pursued to find more suitable environments for their kids.

By late October, Sarah Barthelmess reported that her son had not yet attended school during what was supposed to be his sixth-grade year. After discovering her son’s autism diagnosis, she has navigated multiple districts and nonpublic schools to find a place that meets his needs. Despite these efforts, Barthelmess continues to seek solutions, emphasizing that the lack of available resources from public schools is leaving children behind. Other parents, like Leah Skinner, have expressed similar sentiments, highlighting the shortfalls in support that lead them to consider private institutions, which offer tailored programs for students.