Our mission

We are committed to ensuring that students with disabilities, particularly those in under-resourced communities, have the quality educational opportunities and choices they need to thrive and learn. We accomplish this through research, advocacy, coalition formation, and capacity building with national, state, and local partners.

What we do

For too long, systemic ableism has left students with disabilities an afterthought. The Center for Learner Equity is working to ensure that public schools-both within the charter school sector and beyond it-are designed for inclusivity and equity from the start. When we improve access and outcomes for students with disabilities, all students benefit. In response to these compelling needs,

Lauren Morando Rhim and Paul O'Neill launched the Center for Learner Equity (then the National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools) in October 2013. The Center is the first organization to focus solely on proactively working with states, charter authorizers, special education and charter school advocates, and other stakeholders to raise awareness, improve access, create dynamic learning opportunities, and address barriers that prevent students with disabilities from accessing a high-quality education in the public school of their choice. The Center's work is guided by four priorities:

Document & communicate vital facts to policymakers, advocates, and authorizers about the status and progress of students with disabilities in charter schools and high-choice districts.

Inform policy at state and federal levels to address barriers and create opportunities for students with disabilities to access effective instructional programs and individualized support in schools of choice.

Develop coalitions and form essential partnerships to collaborate, find common ground, and create economies of scale in order to change the status quo for students with disabilities in traditional and charter public schools.

Build capacity for excellence in the field that translates to exemplary supports and services for students with disabilities in the charter sector and beyond.

Since its launch, the Center has worked to proactively ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to rigorous educational opportunities in all public schools and to catalyze efforts to foster innovation that leads to equitable outcomes.