ALBANY – Legislation introduced by State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti that will allow students in individualized education plans to continue receiving their special education services was signed into law on Wednesday.
This bill is focused on students with unique needs and abilities who would have turned 21 years old during the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school years and did not receive their individualized education plan because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Under current state law, unique needs students can be removed from their individualized education services as soon as they hit their 21st birthday. The newly enacted bill allows these students to finish their education plans up until their 23rd birthday.
“Too many of our students with unique needs missed over a year’s worth of programs and services because of the pandemic, but now they will be able to continue with their progress,” said Harckham. “These programs are so valuable because of the structure and stability they provide students with.”
“Due to Covid-related school closures, several thousand students with disabilities who turned 21 over the last year are being pushed out of school without completing their education and without appropriate ‘transition’ services,” said Abinanti. “Zoom school did not work for these young adults, who needed in-person learning in job skills, behavior modifications and travel competency. This new law ensures that New York’s schools continue to assess students with disabilities and give them needed compensatory education and supports until they are 23.”
This legislation gives approval to school districts to continue providing special educational services to students who turn 21 years old in the 2019-20 or 2020-21 school years and are enrolled in the school district, pursuing their individualized education plan.
