BILL NUMBER: S1664

SPONSOR: BROOKS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to allowing school
districts to opt children with an individualized education program out
of the "common core standards" and certain testing

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to allow children with individual education
plans the ability to opt-out of the common core standards and/or certain
testing.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. amends section 4402 of the education law by adding a new
subdivision 10 which provides parents, legal guardians, or school
districts the ability to opt children with an individualized education
program out of certain standardized tests, common core standards, or
              

testing associated with the annual professional performance review of
classroom teachers.

Section 2. is the enacting clause.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Each child in public school who receives special education and related
services must have what is referred to as an Individualized Education
Program or an IEP. Each IEP is uniquely designed to fit the needs of the
student it serves. The IEP creates an opportunity for teachers, parents,
school administrators, related services personnel, and students (when
appropriate) to work together, to improve educational outcomes for chil-
dren with disabilities.

To create an effective IEP, parents, teachers, other school staff and
often the student must come together to identify the student's unique
needs. These individuals pool knowledge, experience, and commitment to
design an educational program that will help the student be involved in,
and progress in, the general curriculum. Additionally, the IEP guides
the delivery of special education supports and services for students
with special needs.

This legislation recognizes the IEP, and its sole purpose of providing
an appropriate curriculum for students with disabilities. This bill
provides local school districts, along with the IEP team an opportunity
to exempt special needs students from participating in the common core
curriculum and/or high stakes testing if appropriate.  In exempting the
student however, the district and/or the IEP team members will record in
detail their reasoning. This will ensure that any questions arising in
the future as to the decision can be answered by simply referring back
to the student's records.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the state

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately