Special Needs, Troubled Schools
Investigative Reporting: General News Outlets, Print and Online (Small Staff)
About the Entry
These stories lay bare major problems in the operations and oversight of a private special education school where 95 percent of students had been psychiatric hospital patients — effectively a mental institution outside the oversight of the state’s Department of Mental Health.
- Special Needs, Troubled Schools
- Runaways, findings of neglect and abuse cast shadow at Chamberlain school
- Cash flows via multiple channels to executive at special education school
- Hearings begin on troubles at special education schools
- Abuse and neglect reports mount at special ed schools, official says
Entry Credit
- Koby Levin, Intern, The Eye at NECIR
- Jenifer McKim, Senior Investigative Reporter, The Eye at NECIR
- Gary Putka, Executive Editor, The Eye at NECIR
Comments from the Judges
“Series was excellent (though horrifying). The team was clearly committed to detailing the most egregious abuses — of students, and finances — by this school.”
“This is an impressive and decisive takedown of a school that is both abusing its students and its budget. What made it so compelling: the level of detail, and the marriage of financial investigation with stories from students and families.”
