Is there a limit of sp.ed. kids allowed in a regular ed. classroom?

Question

I am highly overwhelmed with my classroom. 20 students, 14 on IEP. (of those 14 it breaks down like this-4 autistic, 1 ED, 4 CD that had previously been in resource rooms, 5 SLD) I co- teach for a lot of it so she helps save me but I can't even get them to keep a desk clean for 2 days, let alone teach 6 gr. standards. I'm in a charter school - I know a lot of public schools have a "cap" but that it is union negotiated and in a charter, we do not have a union.

I do not have special education certification but the co teacher who is there part of the time does.
You are right-the autistic kids are high functioning and can mostly keep up but the CD kids, just can't handle 6th grade material. I feel like we are really trying different strategies (centers, internet, DI, hands-on...) but nothing is working.
As far as ratio goes- my special ed. coordinator looked at me like I was smoking crack when I asked about legal ratios.

Answer 1

Ideally, a collaborative classroom shouldn't have more than 1/3 of the students be classified. With only 6 general ed. students in your room, that's not collaborative, that's just sticking 6 kids into a special ed. class! Of the 14 special ed. kids, it really doesn't matter what their classification is, but what does matter is the severity of their disability. Students who are in a collaborative class are supposed to be able to succeed within the general education curriculum when they have the support of a special education teacher. If you teach 6th grade and the students aren't ready for 6th grade material, then they aren't really "collaborative-level" kids and should be moved to a more restrictive placement (as in, 12:1:1 or whatever your school uses).

Answer 2

It depends on your certification. If you are licensed in special education then the ratio of students would not apply. If you are not licensed in special education then it depends on your state. Look up your state standards through the national department of education web site.