A task force that was established to review Connecticut’s entire education cost sharing system has recommended that wealthy school districts pay more for the costs of their special education programs. At the present time, the state formula for excess special education costs allows any school district to apply to the State Department of Education for a reimbursement of those special education expenditures in excess of four and one-half times the school district’s average per pupil expenditure. In an effort to save money at the state level, the task force has recommended that wealthier school districts received a reduce reimbursement of their excess special education costs or that parents who can afford to pay for their child’s special education program bear some or all of those costs. This proposal should be alarming to both local school districts and parents alike. Federal law provided that students with disabilities who receive special education services are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education. The work Free means without cost to the parents. If you are concerned about this proposal, please contact Governor Dannel Malloy’s office; the Connecticut General Assembly’s Education and Appropriation Committees, and your local State Representative and State Senator and let them know how this proposal will impact your family.
For a link to the article “Panel looks to tackle skyrocketing special education costs” by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas that appeared recently in the Connecticut Mirror, please click here: http://www.ctmirror.org/story/17491/panel-looks-tackle-skyrocketing-special-education-costs