MSN.com

The Chicago Archdiocese is accusing Chicago Public Schools of abruptly pulling funding for students with disabilities in Catholic schools. Archdiocese officials said in a statement that Friday is suddenly the last day more than 800 students with disabilities will receive federally funded instructional support at their schools. 

The archdiocese claims these programs were pulled only from Catholic schools, saying it is “not aware of any other non-public school system or individual school, religious or secular, whose IDEA services are being terminated.” IDEA stands for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which provides federal funding for services. Cardinal Blase Cupich blasted the city’s school district, writing in the statement, “We cannot allow this shocking and unjust action by CPS to stand, not only given its affront to Catholics, but even more so since that injustice disenfranchises the students we serve.”

But CPS disputed the church’s characterization of the situation. In a statement Friday afternoon, CPS officials said they have met regularly with the Archdiocese this academic year and repeatedly alerted Catholic school administrators that they were spending their federal funds too quickly and were on track to run out before the end of the school year.