What's happening
This bill creates a city-wide council for District 75 to advise on and improve special education services in New York City.
Why it matters
Gives parents a direct voice. By requiring that the majority of council members be parents of students receiving District 75 special education services, the bill ensures that decision-making and advice reflect the lived experiences and needs of families most affected by these programs.
Brings expert perspective. The inclusion of members appointed by the Public Advocate with specialized knowledge in disability education or employment adds professional expertise, aiming to enhance the council’s ability to guide policy improvements for students with significant disabilities.
Creates transparency and accountability. The council’s mandate to issue annual reports and hold monthly public meetings provides regular opportunities for community input and oversight, potentially leading to more responsive and effective special education services.
Empowers students and sustains representation. By including a non-voting high school senior from District 75, the council recognizes the importance of student perspectives. The process for filling vacancies also ensures that parent input remains central to council composition, promoting continuity and representation.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Special Ed Parent Council
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Create Special Ed Parent Council
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Daniel O'Donnell
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7706
IN SENATE
February 9, 2018
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to creating a city-wide council for district seventy-five
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 2590-b of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 8 to read as follows:
8. (a) There shall be a city-wide council for district seventy-five created pursuant to this section. The city-wide council for district seventy-five shall consist of eleven voting members and one non-voting member, as follows:
(i) nine voting members who shall be parents of students receiving city-wide special education services in district seventy-five to be selected by parents of students who receive such services pursuant to a representative process developed by the chancellor. Such members shall serve a two year term;
(ii) two voting members appointed by the public advocate of the city of New York, who shall be individuals with extensive experience and knowledge in the areas of educating, training or employing individuals with handicapping conditions and will make a significant contribution to improving special education in the city district. Such members shall serve a two year term; and
(iii) one non-voting member who is a high school senior within district seventy-five appointed by the administrator designated by the chancellor to supervise special education programs. Such member shall serve a one year term.
(b) The city-wide council for district seventy-five shall have the power to:
(i) advise and comment on any educational or instructional policy involving the provision of district seventy-five services;
(ii) issue an annual report on the effectiveness of the city district in providing services to district seventy-five students and making
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10586-01-7
S. 7706 2
recommendations, as appropriate, on how to improve the efficiency and delivery of such services; and
(iii) hold at least one meeting per month open to the public and during which the public may discuss issues facing district seventy-five students.
(c) Vacancies shall be filled for an unexpired term by the city-wide council for district seventy-five, pursuant to a process developed by the chancellor that shall include consultation with district seventyfive parents; provided however, that where a vacancy occurs in a position appointed by the public advocate, the public advocate shall appoint a member to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that the amendments to section 2590-b of the education law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such section and expire and be deemed repealed therewith.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to creating a city-wide council for district seventy-five
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill creates a city-wide council for district seventy-five by amending New York State Education Law 2590(b). The city-wide council for district seventy-five would follow the same rules and regulations as all other community and city-wide education councils so it may continue to provide special education and other educational services to families across New York City.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends section 2590-b of the education law by creating a new subdivision to establish a city-wide council for district seventy-five, which will consist of eleven voting members and one non-voting member. All voting members shall serve a two year term, while the non-voting member, who will be a high school senior within district seventy-five, shall serve a one year term. Nine of the voting members shall be parents of students receiving citywide special education services in district seventy-five, while two voting members shall be appointed by the public advocate. The city-wide council for district seventy-five shall have the power to advise and comment on education or instructional policy involv- ing the provision of district seventy-five services; issue an annual report on its effectiveness; and hold at least one public meeting per month to discuss issues. Vacancies shall be filled by the chancellor, unless the vacancy is for an appointee by the public advocate, in which case the public advocate shall appoint a member to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Difference between original and amended version (if applicable)
N/A
Justification
Currently, the Citywide Education Council for District 75 (CEC75) is only under the auspices of the Chancellor of the New York City Depart- ment of Education, unlike the other Community Education Councils, which are protected under New York State law. CEC75 is the only district of its kind in the United States. CEC75 does not represent an individual district, but rather specializes in providing education and services to students across all five boroughs who are classified on their Individ- ualized Education Plan (IEP) with special needs as well as students who have other health impairments. The District has a current registrar of 24,026 students and consists of 56 school organizations and programs. In order to strengthen CEC75's ability to serve the students and parents of District 75, this bill would amend New York State Education Law 2590(b) to include CEC75. The inclusion of CEC75 into state law will give CEC75 the same protection as all other city-wide education councils so it can continue to help the students and parents of District 75.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.