Tuition for School-Age and Preschool Special Education Programs: A2531 Ra

MEMORANDUM OF SUPPORT

A.2531 Ra
Providing an annual growth amount for tuition and regional rate reimbursement for approved school-age and preschool special education programs

This measure provides for annual growth in tuition and regional rate reimbursement for school-age and preschool special education programs. 

Special education programs and services are complex and often very expensive. The state reimbursement processes and rates have long been criticized for producing funding delays and great uncertainty, thereby leaving service providers struggling to meet their operational needs. In the end, these operational and payment struggles often result in children not receiving the intended and mandated services. 

Creating an annual funding increase in statute that is tied to the growth in general aid for public schools would give approved school-age and preschool program providers greater certainty and financial stability. In turn, greater predictability in tuition and regional rates would enable these programs to better provide the required services to the students they serve.  

This legislation would ensure funding parity in tuition and regional rate reimbursement for the provision of free appropriate public education to preschool and school-age students with disabilities on a more consistent basis. The New York State Catholic Conference supports this measure and urges its adoption.