Invest in New York's Youngest Constituents and Their Educators

New York’s 4410 preschool and 853 school-age special education schools serve public school students with disabilities whose local school districts or BOCES cannot serve them due to their highly individualized support needs.  Yet, 4410 and 853 schools remain structurally underfunded compared to public schools. 

New York State is legally required under the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities. Our schools help fulfill this mandate in a programmatically sound and fiscally responsible way. However, they remain critically underfunded, leaving many students sitting at home and denied FAPE. Failure to adequately fund these schools drives staff turnover and forces reliance on far more expensive alternatives, including out-of-state placements and NYC "Carter Cases" ($1.2B in 2024).

4410 Preschool/853 School-Age Special Education Programs (SED)

CLOSE THE GAP: INVEST IN EQUITY FOR 4410 & 853 SCHOOLS

Since 2021, State Aid to school districts for 10-month education programs has increased by 34% and Foundation Aid has increased by 37%. During the same period, 853 and 4410 programs, which already start from a lower base-rate, received only 28.45%. Additionally, our teachers and direct care instructional staff do not have access to the same statewide workforce incentives, benefits, and retirement systems that local district staff receive. This is despite the fact that 4410 and 853 programs serve public school children and operate 12-month programs, since children with significant disabilities require full-time academic, social, and behavioral. These dedicated teachers, therapists, teacher assistants, and aides have a right to receive equitable funding with public school staff. We shouldn’t pay teachers who are asked to do more, less. 

 A truly universal education system cannot leave its most vulnerable students behind. We urge the Legislature to make these essential investments to ensure that every child in New York receives the equitable, high-quality education they are guaranteed by law.

Therefore, we urge the Legislature to prioritize these investments: 

Fund FAPE 22

Amend State Education Law to codify and fully fund services through the end of the school year in which a student turns 22, aligning New York with federal mandates and relieving the fiscal burden on local school districts. Closes a $65M+ gap.

Invest in the Workforce

(ETTPP) Increase the Excessive Teacher Turnover Prevention Program by $10M. Reduce high turnover by adding $5M to ETTPP, which has been flat since 2019. Invest an additional $5M to expand ETTPP eligibility to include instructional support roles (TAs, 1:1 aides, OT, PT, Speech therapists, etc.).

Establish Centers of Excellence

Allocate $2M to establish three Centers of Excellence in the Care and Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Complex Disabilities.