New York City Schools, Office for Civil Rights Sign Special Education Agreement

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has reached an agreement with the New York City Board of Education, concerning the placement of minority and limited English proficient students in special education classes. Approximately 120,000 students receive special education services in the city.

"This agreement will be of great benefit to the students of the New York City schools," said Helen Whitney, director of the New York Office for Civil Rights, "and should result in increased access to educational opportunities."

Under a memorandum of understanding, New York City among other things will:

provide training for parents on special education rights and procedures;

measure the academic success of special education students;

collect and analyze referral and placement information from all schools and districts to prevent inappropriate, disproportionate referral and restrictive placement of minority and limited English proficient (LEP) students;

replicate or expand successful intervention models for atrisk students; and

include information on special education programs in annual "school report cards."

Whitney said implementation of the agreement will not reduce or eliminate services to students with special needs, but will assure that only students who require special education are appropriately placed in such programs. The agreement also seeks to ensure that special needs students are placed in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their needs and that all students in special education benefit from their individualized education programs.

The agreement was reached after a two-year effort on the part of the New York City school officials and OCR. Also providing assistance were officials from the department's Office of Special Education Programs and the New York State Department of Education.

OCR will monitor compliance with the agreement for three years.

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