NY S00097

Establishes the Special Needs Scholarship Program allowing parents of public school students with disabilities to obtain state-funded scholarships to enroll their children in participating non-public or out-of-district public schools.

Eligible students must have an Individual Education Plan, be accepted to a participating school, and have parents dissatisfied with the student's progress in public school.

Scholarship amount equals the lesser of the resident district's estimated cost for the student's services or the participating school's costs, with funds subtracted from the resident district's state aid.

Participating non-public schools must demonstrate administrative accountability (health/safety compliance, non-discrimination), financial accountability (audited financial reports, surety bonds), and academic accountability (regular progress reporting to parents).

Resident school districts must notify special needs families of the program, provide student records to participating schools, arrange transportation under existing law, and provide testing locations for statewide assessments if requested.