S PECIAL E DUCATION N.J.A.C. 6A:14

E DUCATION T RANSFORMATION T ASK F ORCE : P ROBLEMS WITH E XCESSIVE R EGULATION Stifles innovation – educators need autonomy to craft their own path to success, while being held accountable for results Redirect focus – State requirements that are not focused on student learning, fiscal integrity, or health and safety distract educators from the work that matters most: preparing students to graduate from high school ready for success in life Focus on compliance – culture of overregulation can lead educators to expect that regulatory compliance, rather than student learning, defines success

T ASK F ORCE REGULATORY CHANGES – BENEFIT TO EDUCATORS Ease reporting requirements to the State Reduce unnecessary or burdensome requirements Provide flexibility in operations Provide flexibility in programs Provide flexibility in staffing Enable high-quality, impactful professional development Clarify confusing code requirements 3

College & Career Readiness Academic Achievement Employment Post Secondary Education Independent Living Increase Placement in Least Restrictive Environment Reduce Disproportionality Reduce Dropout Rate Reduce Suspension and Expulsion Rates Increase Supports for Students Increase Graduation Rates Increase Parent Involvement Increase Post School Outcomes Increase Academic Achievement Special Education Outcomes

G ENERAL C HANGES Grammar, stylistic & organizational revisions; Language alignment to other chapters of administrative code (Standards & Assessment; Licensure); Removed duplicative or outdated language; Updated citations and agency names.

E NHANCED P ARENT & F AMILY I NVOLVEMENT Expanding the definition of parent Requiring parental consent before a representative from an outside agency is invited to an IEP meeting Including representatives from sending school districts in IEP meetings Removing barriers to receiving independent evaluations Requiring copies of independent evaluations be provided to both parents and school districts Allowing parents to participate in identification meetings by telephone (Task Force)

I NCREASED FLEXIBILITY FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS Task Force Recommendations Clarifying that school districts may contract for child study team members to supplement services when needed Allowing other school district personnel with requisite knowledge to serve as case managers Reducing the minimum number of required child study team members at identification meetings Consistency in evaluation timelines by changing the timeframe for conducting assessments related to a reevaluation from 60 days to 90 days

A REAS WHERE STATE REGULATIONS EXCEED FEDERAL REGULATIONS Task Force Recommendations Avoiding potential violations of copyright law Providing reports to parents five days prior to meetings Requiring a written statement regarding eligibility from child study team members only in cases where a specific learning disability is suspected

U NNECESSARILY BURDENSOME REQUIREMENTS Task Force Recommendations Repealing the requirement that an approved private school notify the Department when it undergoes a change in ownership Notifying parents only once when an exception to the age-range or group-size requirement is granted Department of Education Recommendations Repealing the requirement that job descriptions for classroom aides be approved by the Department

A LIGN S TATE R EGULATIONS WITH F EDERAL REGULATIONS Task Force Recommendations Clarifying that student transfers from out-of-State are considered initial evaluations Amending the definition of preschool child with a disability Department of Education Recommendations Provision of the procedural safeguards statement to parents Changes to the monitoring process to ensure alignment with the State Performance Plan and Annual Performance Report