Budget Amendment ID: FY2017-S4-168

EDU 168

Special Education Services for Low Incidence Populations Study

Mr. Eldridge moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after Section XX the following section:-

SECTION XX. There shall be a special commission to investigate and study services for low incidence students with disabilities and to identify opportunities for administrative efficiencies and cost savings by school districts. The commission shall have the following duties: (i) review available data concerning low incidence students with disabilities; (ii) consider current special education program and service delivery structures and placements for low incidence students and their costs; (iii) examine programs and services provided by non-educational agencies that support students with disabilities; (iv) identify needs and challenges in transitions from early intervention through post-secondary and adult service systems as well as student relocations from one district to another; (v) identify best practices for providing high quality and cost-effective services to low incidence students with disabilities and; (vi) determine the challenges and opportunities for ensuring coherent, appropriate and cost effective services for students across multiple agencies as they progress from early intervention services to pre-K-12 education and to postsecondary education and adult services, including, but not limited to examining the opportunity for funding to follow a child through the system.

The commission shall consist of the following 18 members or their designees: the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on education, who shall serve as co-chairs, the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, the commissioner of public health; the commissioner of developmental disabilities; the commissioner of mental health; a representative of the commission for the blind; a representative of the commission for the deaf and hard of hearing; and one person selected by each of the following organizations: the Massachusetts Administrators for Special Education, the Urban Superintendents Group, the Massachusetts Organization of Educational Collaborates, the Massachusetts Association of 766 Approved Private Schools, the Massachusetts Advocates for Children, the Federation for Children with Special Needs, Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, and the Massachusetts Head Injury Foundation.

The commission shall file a report on the results of its investigation and study, and any recommendations relative thereto, with the office or the governor and with the clerks of the house of representatives and senate no later than 24 months after passage of this act.