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We are piloting a multi-visit program for students with special needs, however we haven't established a fee structure yet. If you offer a similar program, how does your pricing compare to your rate for general education classes? For example: For our single visits, we charge $55/class for general education, but $1.50/student for self-contained classes, knowing that there are often far fewer students in a self-contained classroom. I'm curious if you subsidize your program, or charge a fee that covers the rate for a per diem museum educator. 

Thanks in advance for your contributions!

-Alexa

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Alexa Fairchild
School Programs Manager
Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn NY
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Hi Alexa,
Currently, we don't offer reduced rates for special need groups. Here we extend the chaperone ratio to match the one-to-one based on their student's needs. If we have to bring on additional hands to help with the group, than we need to charge accordingly based on bodies and supplies. It helps if we can get sponsorship to support the visit which becomes a win-win for everyone. In other organizations I've worked for, it's been pretty much the same thing, compensate on the chaperone ratio, when possible.

Hope that helps a little bit.

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Rochelle Coslow-Robinson
Exhibit Programs Director
AACA Museum - Antique Auto Club of America
Hershey PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-01-2014 04:39 PM
From: Alexa Fairchild
Subject: Pricing for students with special needs

We are piloting a multi-visit program for students with special needs, however we haven't established a fee structure yet. If you offer a similar program, how does your pricing compare to your rate for general education classes? For example: For our single visits, we charge $55/class for general education, but $1.50/student for self-contained classes, knowing that there are often far fewer students in a self-contained classroom. I'm curious if you subsidize your program, or charge a fee that covers the rate for a per diem museum educator. 

Thanks in advance for your contributions!

-Alexa

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Alexa Fairchild
School Programs Manager
Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn NY
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Since 1981, the museum has offered a multi-visit (3) program for in-county K-5 students in self-contained classes.  Although in the first year or two it was a grant funded program, the departmental budget now covers RT bus transportation and all admission fees for students and teachers/chaperones are waived.  The program is directed by the Coordinator of Education (FT, definitely not the only program she runs) with necessary support from volunteer docents, who will work one-on-one with students with special needs if that is required for their optimal learning experience.

Without waiving the fees and covering the cost of bus transportation, almost all of the schools would not come.  These students would not be served.  We serve 12-15 classes (3 times) per year through this program--reduced staffing  and larger class sizes for the EC classrooms are the biggest challenges for participation lately.  It is hard to send away EC staff when there are students back at school that may need them also.

Typical K-12 class visits may include some students with IEP who are mainstreamed and  the fee for these K-12 visits is $3 per student for the 90 minute tour plus hands-on activity; adult chaperones are admitted free of charge.  No transportation funds are provided for the K-12 school visits.

Good luck with your program!

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Kathleen Hutton
Director of Education
Reynolda House Museum of American Art
Winston Salem NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-01-2014 04:39 PM
From: Alexa Fairchild
Subject: Pricing for students with special needs

We are piloting a multi-visit program for students with special needs, however we haven't established a fee structure yet. If you offer a similar program, how does your pricing compare to your rate for general education classes? For example: For our single visits, we charge $55/class for general education, but $1.50/student for self-contained classes, knowing that there are often far fewer students in a self-contained classroom. I'm curious if you subsidize your program, or charge a fee that covers the rate for a per diem museum educator. 

Thanks in advance for your contributions!

-Alexa

-------------------------------------------
Alexa Fairchild
School Programs Manager
Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn NY
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