Chicago Public Schools is defending its overhaul of the system’s special education program. This comes after a WBEZ investigation found that Chicago scaled back special education services last year after secretly instituting new rules. Spending was also cut by about 1.5 percent.

In addition, WBEZ found that CPS relied on auditors without expertise in special education to help orchestrate this work. Chicago schools CEO Forrest Claypool argues the new rules are meant to give every child with special needs the chance to succeed.

Claypool joins All Things Considered host Melba Lara and discusses why his administration decided to make changes to special education in the first place.