Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced that she is authoring legislation to ensure state-funded Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) for three and four year olds is truly universal and that special needs children are included in both the programming and in the funding.

“Unfortunately, New York State is failing in its obligation to provide a top-notch education to all students,” said Assemblymember Barrett. “This policy change will create a consistent program that benefits every child and relieves some of the financial burden on cash-strapped local governments.”

New York State operates three different pre-kindergarten systems: One for special needs children based on determination by local school districts, administered through local health departments and paid for by county and state dollars; the second system, for mainstream three and four year olds, is run by the State Education Department and funded by the school districts and the state; and the third is the private school system, largely parent financed. These multiple systems result in unequal, splintered and unbalanced service delivery to New York’s preschool children, especially those with special needs.

Assemblymember Barrett’s legislation would consolidate pre-kindergarten public education and require full state funding, improving educational and social outcomes for children, creating a smoother transition for families and school districts, and relieving counties of millions of dollars in unfunded state mandates.

Studies have shown that children with special needs and disabilities achieve greater developmental success when they are included in classrooms alongside their peers, and their presence in mainstream classrooms fosters tolerance of different abilities and learning styles from a young age.¹ However, current state-funded pre-kindergarten does not allow for inclusion classrooms, stifling education for many of these students.

“The state owes it to children of all abilities to fulfill their commitment and fully fund UPK,” said Assemblymember Barrett. “I’ll keep fighting until every child has access to the best education possible.”

Assemblymember Barrett has called for special education funding to be included in the state budget.

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1. mcie.org/usermedia/application/6/inclusion_works_final.pdf