Calls and Letters Needed to the New York State Assembly

As of January, 2008, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) eliminated special services for all homeschooled children with special needs.  This abrupt change in policy was made without warning or public comment.  It reversed a seventeen year policy in which New York State provided special services to homeschoolers on nearly the same basis as public school students who receive them. Some of these students are suffering from conditions such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy or even multiple cavernous angiomas (tumors of blood vessels in the brain). A few are suffering from conditions so medically-fragile that they cannot be transported to a public school for education and services.

Senator George Winner (R – Elmira) has introduced a bill, S7490-A, that would restore special education services to home school students. These services include things like physical therapy, speech therapy, and many other services that enable learning and acquisition of skills needed for eventually achieving maximum independence and self-sufficiency as adults. S7490-A unanimously cleared the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 and now advances to the Senate Finance Committee, but there is still no action the New York State Assembly.

All homeschoolers are being asked to contact Assemblywoman Nolan's office (click for contact information), Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's office, each member of the Assembly Education Committee and your own Assemblymember* with the following message:

“Home school students in New York suffering from conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and many other medically-challenging conditions abruptly lost services provided by the State Education Department as of January 2008. Senator Winner has introduced a bill, S7490-A, that would restore special education services to these students. This bill is advancing through the Senate, but as of May 15, 2008, there is still no companion bill in the State Assembly.

Assembly Education Chair Catherine Nolan’s office confirmed that she is aware of the need and looking into the matter, but time is of the essence for the 450 New York families who lost services in 2008.

New York’s Home School students receiving special education services need an Assembly same as bill that the governor can sign before this session ends. Many of these children have already suffered set-backs because of the loss of services. Prompt restoration of these special education services will allow these children to once again make progress. This bill is critically important and must be passed this year.

Thank you in advance for your support and attention to this matter."

*(Your own Assemblymember may be identified by going to www.hslda.org/toolbox.)