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.”

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