New Jersey Senator Jennifer Beck (R-12)

Prompted by a series of articles in the Asbury Park Press last year, Monmouth County law makers Jennifer Beck and Thomas H. Kean, Jr., along with Senators Joseph M. Kyrillos, Jr. and Robert W. Singer, introduced legislation (S-2635) that would establish a 15-member task force to study  issues related to improving special education programs and services for public school students.

Under the provisions in the bill, the task force will be charged with examining the funding, delivery, and effectiveness of special education programs and services; evaluation and classification practices; best practices; strategies to reduce the costs associated with out-of-district placement; development of in-district special education programs and services; and the development of standards to focus on student achievement.

The bill passed out of the NJ Senate Education Committee today with an amendment that specifically requires a representative from ASAH to serve on the Task Force.