New federal rules change special ed

Federal program to integrate students in the classroom.

By: Josh Appelbaum
   Cranbury will have to find a way to pay for an expanded early childhood education program in order to meet new requirements set by the federal Department of Education.
   The changes require the district to provide a program that integrates "typical" students with special education students already attending the district’s existing preschool program by September. The existing program is not currently open to "typical" students.
   To meet an expected increase in enrollment, the district expects to budget about $30,000 more — $40,900 to $70,900 — for the program next year to pay for an additional part-time teacher, said school Business Administrator Brian DeLucia.
   While money isn’t expected to be provided to pay for the changes, the district will be allowed to charge tuition to "typical" students attending the program, an option the district is considering.
   The new teacher would work with the new, "typical" students, said school board President Joan Rue.
   The district’s existing preschool program for children with disabilities was established in 1997 to meet standards set by the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, signed into law the same year.
   The federal government provides the township with $5,000 per year to operate the existing program, but school board members have said the money is inadequate.
   "(Federal funding) does not cover the entire cost of the program," Ms. Rue said. "And as with most funding for mandated programs, it is either inadequate or nonexistent."
   According to Mr. DeLucia, Cranbury School and taxpayers carry most of the cost for students’ tuition and transportation costs.
   Ms. Rue said the new program would be run similarly to the present program.
   "A preschool program for nontypical students follows the same general standards of regular preschool programs, but we are looking at hiring another part-time teacher," said Ms. Rue. "We want to make sure we can handle the growth — as far as the number of students — and not jeopardize the program for nontypical students."
   Ellen Frede, assistant to the commissioner for the state’s Early Childhood Education programs, said the new recommendations provide for the least restrictive environment for children with disabilities, which means inclusion with typical students.
   She said young children with disabilities learn better in normal classroom environments than restricted classrooms.
   "We encourage serving children with or without disabilities, and will support it any way we can," Ms. Freede said.
   School board members expressed concern about enrollment to the program, and questioned whether parents in Cranbury would send their children to the preschool program instead of private preschools.
   Curriculum Committee member William Schraudenbach asked rhetorically whether the district would be able to effectively balance the program with typical students.
   Mr. DeLucia said the program would have to be balanced in September, but additional students are likely to enroll or discharge throughout the school year. He said the board’s Policy Committee is examining ways to ensure balance and stabilize enrollment.
   Another concern among administrators and board members is the new plan’s provision to reduce the age for enrollment from 3 ½ to 3 years old.
   Ms. Rue said the school board hasn’t made a decision on the course of the preschool program and how it will eventually fund it.
   "The details have not been worked out — a lot of it will depend on what happens after our (Board of Education) election," Ms. Rue said.