New Bill Introduced in NJ Legislature to Study Special Education

Assembly Republican David Rible has introduced a bill that would, according to the press release, would create a task force that would “leave no stone unturned in its quest to find ways to make special education more efficient and effective with a greater emphasis on student achievement.”

The bipartisan bill, A-1365, is co-sponsored Assembly members Mary Pat Angelini, Jason O’Donnell and Donna Simon, and Senators Jennifer Beck and Teresa M. Ruiz. Its genesis is a series in the Asbury Park Press on NJ’s inefficient and expensive special education system. The Task Force would study:

•    Methods of classifying and education special needs students.
•    Best practices for special education.
•    Strategies to reduce costs associated with out-of-district placements.
•    Standards to ensure programs meets students’ needs and focus on achievement.