ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
ASSEMBLY SUBCOMMITTEE ON STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC ROUNDTABLE

In New York State, students with severe disabilities or other educational challenges may be placed in a Special Act school district, 853 school or 4201 school if the school district of residence, neighboring school district, or Board of Cooperative Educational Service cannot provide a free appropriate public education. Special Act school districts, which are considered public school districts, partner with child care institutions and serve students placed by family court, local social services districts, the Office of Children and Family Services, Office of Mental Health, and recommended by a local school district's committee on special education (CSE). These districts educate students who reside at the child care institution as well as day students transported to the schools. 853 schools are schools approved by the State Education Department and operated by private agencies that provide day and/or residential programs for students with disabilities pursuant to a recommendation by a CSE. 4201 schools primarily serve students who are deaf, blind, or have multiple disabilities and are placed there by a student's parent or by a CSE.

This roundtable will allow invitees and members of the NYS Assembly's Standing Committee on Education to discuss the programs and services offered by Special Act school districts, 853 schools, and 4201 schools. Participants will discuss and examine the challenges these schools, their students, and their families face and consider potential solutions.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Catherine Nolan, Chair
Standing Committee on Education

Shelley Mayer, Chair
Subcommittee on Students with Special Needs