New mandate relief fight

After extensive back and forth with the Regents, the SED has decided to move forward on mandate relief for speech services. The proposal has two parts. The first would change the minimum level of service requirement for speech and language related services from two 30-minute sessions per week to one hour a week at a frequency and duration determined by the IEP team. The second part would authorize IEP teams to recommend less than one hour per week of services for students who have received speech and language services for one year or more and continue to need such services to support generalization of learned skills.

The SED is seeking comments on this proposal. Comments must be RECEIVED by the SED’s VESID Special Education Policy Unit – preferably on the VESID public comment form – no later than May 26, 2009. More information about this and other mandate relief proposals can be found at http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2009Meetings/March2009/0309vesidd3.htm.

The Public Comment Form can be downloaded at
http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/policy/comment-mandaterelief309.htm

If adopted, what will these changes mean for you? Is the push to change the minimum service from two 30 minute sessions to one hour a week motivated by the DOE’s desire for more flexibility to implement the Speech Standards of Practice? Do you have concerns that this will be interpreted as a “one year and out” model? Do you have students who need speech and language services for more than a year for reasons other than generalization of skills? The SED claims that this proposal, given other safeguards in place, is not expected to significantly impact the quality of special education supports and services available to students with disabilities. We don't agree. Let the SED know how damaging this mandate relief is for students by writing the SED before May 26. I also urge you to discuss your concerns with parents and let them know how important it is for them to send written comments.

The current proposal, troublesome as it is, is less damaging than prior proposals. In response to pressure from the UFT, NYSUT, parents, disability and advocacy groups, the Regents VESID Committee rejected a proposal that would have limited minimum service requirements to students who only receive related services and eliminated minimum service requirements entirely for students who receive other special education services (such as CTT, SETSS, special class, etc.). The Regents were concerned, as we were, that the elimination of minimum service requirements would result in no service for students who also received specialized instruction. It was proposed purely as a cost-saving initiative, not to improve service delivery.

<<Back