Changes proposed to special-ed services

State school officials are proposing changes in the evaluations of thousands of students with disabilities on Long Island and elsewhere that they say would save money for hard-pressed school districts.

One recommended change -- the most controversial -- would drop a requirement that school psychologists participate in all committee reviews of services provided to special-education students. Psychologists would continue to participate in initial student evaluations.

Opponents of the changes contend that the absence of psychologists from review meetings could lead to serious errors -- raising the possibility, for example, that student behavior stemming from a disability might be mistaken for willful misconduct.

"You're really removing important protections for parents and students," said John Kelly, legislative chairman of the New York Association of School Psychologists, representing about 700 members on the Island and 3,500 statewide. He is a psychologist at Commack High School.

Other proposals would limit the role of psychologists in determining what sort of student evaluations are needed, and the role of parents in selecting specialists to evaluate preschool-age children. Some savings would come through limiting the number of needed psychologists by freeing them from spending long periods in meetings.

Preliminary action on the proposed package is scheduled today at a monthly meeting of the state Board of Regents in Albany. Final approval of most measures requires an OK from the State Legislature.

Although similar recommendations have failed in the past -- some as recently as last winter -- supporters believe their proposals face a far better chance of adoption now. Starting in July, the state will impose a 2 percent cap on annual increases in school property taxes, making it more difficult for districts to fund mandated programs for special-education students without cutting services for those enrolled in general-education classes.

"People are already really worried that there's going to be a revolution from general-education parents," said Roger Tilles of Great Neck, the Island's representative to the Regents board, who supports the plan drafted by State Education Department staff.

The package also is backed by the State Council of School Superintendents.

Supporters add that students and parents would retain all the protections and services provided under federal laws covering disabilities, and that the proposed changes would help bring costs of special education in New York State more in line with costs in other parts of the country.

Although state officials don't estimate a total savings, costs of special education on Long Island exceed $31,000 per student, about 2 1/2 times the cost of a general education. The changes would affect more than 50,000 students on the Island.

Many parents voice dismay over the idea of cutting services for students with disabilities in a state that has long prided itself on providing high levels of assistance.

"It's almost like going back to the days when those students were institutionalized," said Donna Kelly of Elwood, president of her district's Special Education PTA.