A special-needs challenge in pre-K expansion
Eliza Shapiro
As the de Blasio administration rolls out its ambitious expansion of pre-kindergarten, it will be hard-pressed to accommodate children with special needs, special education advocates say.
The Department of Education must find space for about 5,000 children who will likely be identified as needing special services, coordinate those services through approved agencies, and arrange for travel and communicate with parents, pre-K directors and teachers about each childs individual needs.
Simultaneously, the de Blasio administration must bring hundreds of pre-K programs in public schools and almost 1,000 in community-based centers throughout the city up to building and health codes, even though many violations remain outstanding. It must hire and train teachers and place as many children as possible in pre-K centers by September.
Special education advocates and parents say theyre concerned about the D.O.E.s ability to pull off such a feat in the next two months.
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2014/06/8547756/special-needs-challenge-pre-k-expansion