Governor Murphy and New Jersey lawmakers need to hear from parents about positive experiences at private special education schools, and the need to advance two important provisions that will change the landscape of special education.
Action is VITAL and URGENT!
ASAH is coordinating two Advocacy Campaigns. You can take action on one, or both, but we URGE you to take action quickly.
S3434: ONE MORE YEAR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
Read the bill and track its progress >>
Read a parent friendly fact sheet [PDF] >>
Register for two important parent workshops on this topic, which include legal Q&A:
- June 3: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DCk520NBSmW-XcAC3zOQ3A
- June 9: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Zdc_lEhZS3OwaFhcnA22GA
What you need to know:
- In New Jersey, special education entitlement ends at age 21, but when a child “ages out” during the pandemic, they have missed a lot of specialized services at a very critical time.
- This bill requires boards of education to provide special education and related services to students exceeding the age of eligibility.
- It received broad support from both Democrats and Republicans and has passed in the NJ Senate and Assembly.
Why it matters:
- It helps those who would graduate THIS year (2021) as well as those who would turn 21 in 2022, and 2023.
- The bill specifically includes “transition services.”
- The bill means that parents of a student who turned 21 before June 30th would not have to file for due process in order for their child to remain eligible for special education and related services.
- The bill allows ASAH-member private schools to use classrooms and other space more flexibly so that students who would otherwise age out can remain at the private school.
- Services would be determined by the IEP team, which includes the parent.
- Funding is through a combination of State, local and Federal funds, including the CARES Act CRRSA Act, and ARP Act.
S3434 ACTION REQUIRED
The bill is expected to reach the Governor’s desk in early June and will take effect once it is signed. Because graduation exercises at many school take place in early June, time is of the essence.
Contact Governor Murphy to share your views of this bill. Modify the sample letter below to reflect your own child and his or her situation.
Send email via the Governor’s online form: https://www.nj.gov/governor/contact/all/
Send a letter by USPS:
State of New Jersey, Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625
Email a letter: constituent.relations@nj.gov
Or call: 609-292-6000
S3434 MESSAGE TEMPLATE
COPY and PASTE this template letter, customizing it as you go.
Tell them who you are and how private special education schools have helped:
I am [YOUR NAME], a resident of [YOUR MUNICIPALITY], NJ. My child was placed by our local school district at [YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL NAME], a state-approved private school. Our local school district was not able to provide an appropriate program for my child due to their challenges.
Explain how private schools are important to you and your family:
At the private school, my child is making progress in nearly all areas, and our family has the support and information we need. Private special education schools are an important and vital part of the federally-mandated full continuum of placements guaranteed by The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). My child now has a chance to make real progress and maximize their potential.
Express support for the bill:
I am writing now to express my strong support for S3434, now awaiting your signature. The bill, which was unanimously supported and enjoyed strong bipartisan support, requires Boards of Education to provide special education and related services to certain students exceeding the age of eligibility for special education and related services. Our children have missed important services during the pandemic. This bill will make a huge difference to very vulnerable students who need more time before they graduate.
Make it personal:
This bill would help me and my family because my child is scheduled to graduate soon and has missed so many therapies and hours of community learning that they have fallen behind. Without much-needed services, they are not ready for adult life. Without this bill, parents like me would be forced to sue the school district for compensatory education – something no one wants to do.
Call to action:
I urge you to sign S3434 as soon as possible.
Thank you very much.
Best regards,
NAME
FULL ADDRESS
EMAIL
SPECIAL ED EXTRAORDINARY AID FUNDING IN THE NJ STATE BUDGET
What you need to know:
- The “Extraordinary Costs” provision in New Jersey’s funding law provides supplemental state aid to school districts for each student who needs intensive services.
- The law funds special education costs above a certain threshold: $40,000 (for a student in an in-district, inclusive education program) and $55,000 (for an out-of-district program).
- This aid is above and beyond the amount districts receive through the regular formula and is intended to help them pay the costs for students with intensive – and costly – needs.
- Students eligible for Extraordinary Aid must be receiving certain high-cost services, such as ESY, nursing, 1:1, multiple therapies, and others.
- The money can be used for services in any special education placement: an inclusive general education classroom, a self-contained classroom in the district, or an out-of-district program, such as a private school.
- Funding goes DIRECTLY to the sending school district and follows the child – funds never go directly to a private school or to an out-of-district program itself.
Why it Matters:
- Extraordinary Aid is an important “safety net” that can help districts pay for services in a way that does not affect other services and programs in the districts.
- Extraordinary Aid has been UNDERFUNDED since it was put into the state funding law more than a decade ago.
- The first significant increase–$55M–came last year.
Learn more about Extraordinary Costs: Funding to Cover Higher Costs of Special Education
In NJ Common Ground: New Jersey Needs to Fully Fund Extraordinary Costs
In NJ Spotlight: Sweeney Looks to Help Districts with Special Education Costs
EXTRAORDINARY COSTS FUNDING ACTION REQUIRED
Send a letter or email using the template below to your NJ Assemblypersons (there are two for your district) AND your NJ Senator. Modify the letter to reflect your own child and his or her situation.
To send USPS Mail or email to your Assemblypersons and Senator:
- Click here to find your district by municipality,
- Click your municipality,
- Click on the link for your District (e.g., District 15), the resulting page will have Postal addresses for each Assemblyperson’s and Senator’s District Office. For email continue on…
- Click on the name of any of your three Legislators,
- Click on “Contact Your Legislator(s),”
- Click the box beside all three names, then click “Select your Representatives.”
- Complete a single email form for your two Assemblypersons and one Senator, and send.
EXTRAORDINARY COSTS FUNDING MESSAGE TEMPLATE
COPY and PASTE this template letter, customizing it as you go.
Tell them who you are and how private special education schools have helped:
I am [YOUR NAME], a resident of [YOUR MUNICIPALITY], NJ. My child was placed by our local school district at [YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL], a state-approved private school. Our local school district was not able to provide an appropriate program for my child.
Explain how private school has been important for you and your family:
Since my child started attending a private school, they are learning new skills, making friends, and improving in nearly every area. Now, our family has the support and information we need to help our child. Private special education schools are an important and vital part of the federally-mandated full continuum of placements guaranteed by The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). My child now has a chance to make real progress and maximize their potential.
Express support for Extraordinary Aid:
I am urging you to support the proposed state budget that includes full funding for Extraordinary Costs in Special Education. Students with severe and complex challenges like my child need services that can be costly, no matter where they are provided. Districts like mine need financial help if they are to offer students the services they need. The Extraordinary Costs provision allows state funds to help districts like mine pay for these services, whether they are provided in a private school, special public program, or in an inclusive education setting. It is truly a case where money follows the needs of the child.
Make it personal:
My child’s needs are extraordinary. They need therapies, low student/staff ratio, an aid on the bus, Extended School Year services, and other services that cost money. Extraordinary Aid allows my district to provide what the law requires, without it having a negative impact on other programs and services in my town. Too often, special education services are a target, and parents of children with disabilities are blamed for the cost. This provision helps.
Call to action:
I urge you to support full funding for Extraordinary Costs in this year’s state budget, and to talk to leaders in your chamber about the urgent need to fully fund this provision. It is vital for the best long-term outcomes for my child and the community.
Thank you very much.
Best regards,
NAME
FULL ADDRESS
EMAIL ADDRESS
