Latest Law Gives Students with Disabilities More Time to Finish High School

New Law to Assist Students with Disabilities! In June 2022, Governor Hochul signed a new law which clarifies that schools are allowed to continue providing instruction and services to students with disabilities who turned 21 during the 2021-22 school year. Students in New York State have the right to attend high school until the end of the school year in which they turn 21. Students with disabilities also have the right to receive transition services—such as job training or support developing independent living skills—to help them prepare for life after high school. However, during the pandemic, many older youth with disabilities had limited access to the special education supports and services needed to help them successfully transition to adult life. The new law makes clear that schools can give students with disabilities who receive special education services pursuant to an individualized education program (IEP), and who would otherwise “age out” in June 2022, more time to finish high school. The students will be able to finish their education plans in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years or until they turn 23 years old, whichever occurs first.

Nassau Suffolk Law Services’ Education and Disability Rights Project (EDRP) is a bi-county unit representing students with disabilities between the ages of 5-21 in Special Education matters, including attendance at Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings, Resolution Sessions and Impartial Hearings. In addition, the EDRP assists students in issues pertaining to residency and homelessness and helps adults with developmental disabilities to secure eligibility and services through the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). If you are in need of services from the EDRP, please contact us at (516) 292-8100.