zehavasdad — Special needs kids are a completely different situation, not only because the tuition expenses are so high. There are still unfortunately very few special needs programs in our communities compared to what is needed. Often the programs available in the public school system can address the special needs of the child in a significantly more appropriate way. I had a student once in a yeshiva program who was switched to a public school program by his parents after asking a sha’alah of a very chashuv posek. In their particular case they were told that the prerequisite to being a proper Jew is to be a proper person, and if the needs of this child was such that the only available program to meet his needs as a person was a public school program, it would be an appropriate choice. Many frum special needs kids in public schools are there due to a chinuch decision, not a financial one, and many parents have asked Daas Torah with regard to their particular situation. I have never heard anyone quote any Orthodox posek recommending to put a child in public school due to financial considerations.
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