On Monday, May 17, 2021, PAPSA sent a letter to Representative Rosemary M. Brown, PA House Special Education Subcommittee Chair, expressing concerns over SB 664, which was approved by the PA Senate last week. SB 664 allows for the parent(s)/guardian(s) to opt to retain their child during the 2021-22 school year, regardless of whether that child had met requirements for grade advancement. It also allows any parent/guardian of a student with a disability who is enrolled in school during 2020-21 and who “has reached 21 years of age” to opt for an additional year of school during the 2021-2022 school year.

In its letter, PAPSA stated, “When the uncharacteristically rapid passage of SB 664 in the PA Senate became known this past week, it caused great alarm to our executive board and our membership. Many important questions and concerns were immediately raised and it was determined that, as written, this piece of legislation could have significant impact on our school districts in may ways.” The letter went on to provide a list of questions and concerns for the House to consider prior to taking the bill to a vote.

Areas of concern include: IEP development and implementation; student graduation; the possible impact on school performance reporting; federal IDEA funding availability for students beyond the age of 21 as well as community/agency support for such children now in place; the financial impact on budgets that would need to be passed prior to the a”opt out” deadline; ESY services; PIAA eligibility implications; the status of companion bill HB 909 that has been in the House Education Committee since March 15, 2021.

The letter further states that, “It is of the utmost importance that the impact of the passage of SB 664 would have on school districts not be underestimated. What on the surface may appear to be just a few students extending another year of schooling could end up costing school districts and their taxpayers significant dollars. This is especially true for those severely disabled students with very costly needs. In such case, has there been any preliminary collection of data to project what the actual costs could be and whether the state or federal governments will come to the aid of school districts and their taxpayers to help mitigate costs incurred? This is particularly important to consider in light of school districts that must already address the need to provide compensatory education for students adversely affected by the pandemic and resultant school closures.

To view the letter in its entirety, click here or go to www.papsa-web.org under “Resources” and click on “Downloads”.