Requires board of education to provide certain information related to special education in native language of parent or guardian.
Impact
The passage of A5782 is set to strengthen educational rights for non-English speaking families and aims to improve communication between schools and parents regarding special education services. By requiring boards of education to provide this information in a language that is accessible to the families it serves, the bill encourages informed parental involvement in the educational process. This step may lead to better educational outcomes for children with disabilities by ensuring that their families are fully aware of their rights and the services available to them.
Summary
Assembly Bill A5782 aims to enhance the accessibility of special education information for parents or guardians by mandating that boards of education provide notifications and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in the native language of the parent or guardian. This requirement aligns with the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, ensuring that parents understand critical information regarding their child's educational classification, evaluation, and placement. Importantly, the bill includes stipulations for instances where the parent's or guardian's native language does not have a written form, requiring that the information be conveyed orally or via alternative methods to ensure comprehension.
Contention
While the bill is generally supported as a move towards inclusivity and enhanced communication, there may be challenges regarding its implementation. Questions around feasibility could arise, particularly in districts with limited resources for translation services or where there is a wide diversity of languages spoken by parents. Additionally, there may be concerns about the administrative burden placed on educational institutions to comply with the new requirements, which could lead to debates about funding and resource allocation.
Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE.
Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE.
Extends period of time for filing special education due process petitions related to COVID-19 school closures and periods of virtual, remote, hybrid, or in-person instruction.
Extends period of time for filing special education due process petitions related to COVID-19 school closures and periods of virtual, remote, hybrid, or in-person instruction.
Permits special education students and bilingual education students to repeat prior year grade level during 2020-2021 school year upon parental request.