Legislation (A10722a/Weinstein) passed today, drafted and sponsored by Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein will ease the burden on parents with special needs by addressing three elements of the placement process that usually result in children being placed in a school that is not consistent with their home environment and family background.
“In May I was so glad to welcome a class of special needs boys from Boro Park to the Assembly Chamber,” said Weinstein. “Seeing the excitement on their faces reconfirmed for me government’s obligation to provide culturally sensitive educational services to all special needs students. I am pleased to have worked with…community leaders…to ensure that in the future, parents will not have a lengthy fight for the special educational services which are rightfully government’s obligation to provide.”
Thanks to the efforts of Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, future assessments will include not only the child’s academic strengths and weaknesses, but his or her home environment and cultural background as well. Additionally the new law gives the district 90 days from the request for tuition reimbursement to respond, and if tuition reimbursement is granted, 30 days more in which to fulfill this obligation. This will alleviate the enormous financial burden parents presently face when they are forced to wait up to a year for tuition cost reimbursements, often totaling upwards of $80,000 depending on the child’s needs.
“Imagine that Yiddish is the language spoken in your home and the district CSE cannot even consider home environment when determining placement.” said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. “I applaud this measure and my Assembly colleagues for respecting differences and passing this legislation in support of our special needs students and their families.”
Finally, the new law does away with the need for parents to hire lawyers to prove their case year after year by stating that once a particular educational placement is deemed appropriate and approved for tuition reimbursement, such reimbursement shall continue until the CSE amends or modifies the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
“Any of these three changes would be a boon for parents” says Assemblywoman Weinstein. “Put them together, and they will greatly minimize the difficulty and frustration faced by parents in accessing their child’s right to a free and appropriate educational placement. With enactment of this legislation, we affirm that children in New York State with special needs, no matter where they attend school, are to be treated in such a way that they can reach their fullest potential.”
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One Response
This was fully an Agudath Israel of America accomplishment. Why is there not a single mention of Agudath Israel in this article? YWN tends to make it the politicians accomplishment such as David Greenfield, or Assemblywoman Weinstein. Accomplishments such as these are due to the Askanim who lobby the politicians for weeks, months, and even years. I kindly request that you give credit, where credit is due.