Did New York Schools for the Deaf Win or Lose?

Submitted by Alexis.Kashar [1] on Thu, 05/26/2011 - 12:02

2011 has been a year of state budget cuts, and schools for the deaf in many states have faced severe cuts or the risk of closure. New York, with the largest number of state supported schools for the deaf, a total of 8, was one of those states at risk. New York’s Governor proposed that the state stop funding the state supported schools for the deaf through a line-item appropriation in the state budget. The New York deaf community came together at a rally in the state’s Capitol in Albany to protest the Governor’s proposal. At this rally, many state legislators spoke out against the Governor’s proposal. But were the state schools saved? Did those schools win or lose the funding battle? The answer is not clear.

When the dust cleared from all the protests and the negotiations between the legislature and the Governor, what was left standing appears to be a structure that is a combination of both Governor Cuomo’s proposal and the previous funding system. Some would say that this structure is a compromise. However, many questions remain. The 4201 School Association, which represents the state supported schools for the deaf in New York along with some schools for the blind and physically challenged, is still working with the state education department to hammer out many details. This blog summarizes the results of the proposed cuts and the results.

1. Governor’s Proposal: Stop State Direct Funding to the State Supported Schools for the Deaf:

Result: Direct funding to state supported schools for the deaf through a line-item appropriation in the state budget was eliminated on April 1, 2010. This is different from years past where the state funded the schools for the deaf directly, bypassing local school districts. State supported schools for the deaf did not have to rely on the local school districts for funding under the previous structure. Under the new plan, the state would not be responsible if a school is unable to sustain itself solely from local school district funding.

2. Governor’s Proposal: School Districts to Pay Cost of the Tuition 

Result: Local school districts are responsible for paying the full tuition at state supported schools for the deaf but the state will reimburse the districts for some of it. The exact amount of reimbursement is not clear. Some state officials state it will be based on a mix of formulas. This number will vary from district to district. It is also unclear when the school districts will be reimbursed the full amount owed to them by the state, even though the school districts are responsible for paying the state supported schools for the deaf for each student’s tuition.

This situation presents a challenge for local school districts by requiring them to fund the tuition for the state supported schools in the midst of their own struggles with deep budget cuts. Many local school districts’ budgets for this year do not include specific funding for the schools for the deaf. Consequently, many local school districts may face difficulties funding the tuition.

Furthermore, under the current legislation, it is understood that the state education department will be developing the tuition rate for all state supported schools for the deaf. This is different from previous years where the schools for the deaf set their own rates. The schools for the deaf do not yet know the tuition rate for 2011-2012 and many of those schools face challenges in planning for the upcoming school year due to the unknowns.

3. Governor’s Proposal: To Remove The Right of the State Supported Schools for the Deaf to Assess Deaf Students and to Develop Their Individualized Educational Programs (IEP). 

Result: State supported schools for the deaf retain the power to conduct IEP meetings and to assess deaf students. School districts, as in years past, may still assert or offer a different placement such as one in the local district. There are procedural safeguards provided by federal law that parents may use in the event they disagree with any placement or service change or proposal. However, parents must be willing to assert their rights should a local school district propose to change their child’s placement.

The challenges of economics, politics, and education are severe. Government is often reactive and often fails to address many challenges logically. Unfortunately, education is not exempt from this reactive reach. For instance, in New York, large cuts in state education funding have been implemented statewide and such cuts will have a major impact on state supported schools for the deaf. State supported schools for the deaf are now entirely dependent on school districts for ongoing funding for the 2011-2012 school year. With the major cuts imposed by the state, many local school districts may be hard pressed to find cash to fund the tuition upfront. As a result, some schools for the deaf may face financial difficulties if the school districts are unable to pay in a consistent and timely manner. It remains to be seen how things will play out in the coming months.

Overall verdict: If there is one lesson to be learned from this crisis, it is the need to be as visible and vocal as possible at a time when education for deaf and hard of hearing children is being threatened. The New York deaf community and its supporters throughout the country was seen and heard loud and clear in Albany. This activism made a difference and resulted in the continuation of the state supported system, albeit in a different structure for the time being. However, the fight is not over. We must continue to be vigilant in New York and throughout the country. It is up to us to monitor the situation in each of our states and be ready to organize at a moment’s notice should any threat to our children’s education arise at any time.

The future of our children’s education lies in our hands.