Relates to committees on preschool special education

1 Co-sponsor

• John J. Flanagan

BILL NUMBER:S4880A

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to committees on preschool special education

Purpose

This legislation would enable school districts to have one consistent set of requirements with respect to the additional parent member for committees on special education.

Summary of provisions

Amends the Education Law Section 4410 to provide that the additional parent member on the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) would only be required at the CPSE meeting if requested in writing at least 72 hours prior to the meeting by the parents/guardians, student or member of the CPSE. The parents/guardians of the student would receive written notice of their right to have an additional parent attend any meeting of the CPSE regarding the student. The notice would be accompanied by a statement prepared by the State Education Department that explains the purpose of having the additional parent attend the meeting.

Justification

New York State uniquely requires that Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams include a "parent member," separate and in addition to a child's own parent, when convening an annual review of a child's IEP. Although this additional parent member may provide insight into the IEP process, no part of the IEP development is dependent on the additional parent member's expertise.

The New York City Department of Education holds approximately 40,000 preschool Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings annually, with as many hours spent on IEP development. Since the additional parent member cannot be an employee of the school district, the district cannot mandate his or her attendance. As a result, the school district must rely upon the availability of volunteers. This prolongs and increases the expense of IEP development.

The elimination of automatic stipend payments and transportation reimbursements for these parent volunteers when their participation is not requested would save the Department of Education $42,000 annually. By streaming the process, the proposal would also result in additional operational savings.

Notably, legislation enacted last year removed the additional parent member mandate for the school age committees on special education. This legislation would enable school districts to have one consistent set of requirements with respect to the additional parent member for committees on special education.

This bill was requested by City of New York.

Legislative history

None.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Local fiscal implications

This bill would save the NYC Department of Education $42,000 annually. By streamlining the process, the proposal would also result in additional operational savings.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.