forbidden artsy: Cuomo to veto special education bill

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Cuomo to veto special education bill | Albany Watch

Posted by: Jessica Bakeman - Posted in Uncategorized on Jul 31, 2012

Gov. Andrew Cuomo will veto a bill that would have required schools to consider the ?home environment and family background? of special-needs students when placing them, the governor?s office confirmed Tuesday.

School groups had been highly critical of the legislation, claiming it amounted to an unfunded mandate that would have led to a jump in students attending private schools on the public?s dime.

The governor will veto the bill by a Wednesday deadline, according to Cuomo administration officials.

Certain students can qualify for tuition reimbursement from school districts if public schools cannot provide the special education services a student needs. The bill would require schools to consider new criteria when placing special-needs students, specifically the differences between ?the school environment? and the student?s ?home environment and family background.?

Jay Worona, general counsel for the state School Boards Association, said last week that he believes the language encourages students to attend ?religiously segregated? schools.

While the bill does not specifically refer to religion, critics have argued the wording is too broad. The strongest backers of the legislation are Jewish and Catholic groups.

Worona said the bill would give parents the impression that they would probably qualify for tuition reimbursement. ?So parents who may not have otherwise sought that remedy will do so,? he said.

But a spokesman for one of the bill?s supporters, the state Catholic Conference, said last week the legislation would strengthen existing state and federal law. James Cultara, education director, said the bill would ensure administrators determine ?the most appropriate setting? for students.

Cuomo faces a Wednesday deadline to act on the education bill and 106 others. He signed several in recent days, including a new law requiring parental consent for minors to receive body piercings.