Public Education Secretary Designate Mariana D. Padilla | Facebook
The New Mexico Senate has approved the Special Education Act, which aims to establish a dedicated Office of Special Education and develop a state-specific framework for addressing the challenges faced by students with disabilities in New Mexico. The legislation, known as Senate Bill 38, passed with a vote of 31-7.
If the bill is passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law, it will create the Office of Special Education (OSE) within the Public Education Department (PED). This initiative seeks to enhance services beyond federal requirements by introducing transitional education plans. "The Special Education Act will fill critical gaps and enhance the services currently available," said Public Education Secretary Designate Mariana D. Padilla.
A key aspect of SB 38 is an OSE-approved individualized education program (IEP) template and a statewide IEP system. These measures aim to ensure consistency and equity in special education services across all schools in New Mexico.
Additionally, SB 38 mandates training for districts and charters on creating and implementing transitional IEPs. These plans are designed to support students transitioning between educational stages or into postsecondary education or the workforce.
The bill also proposes transferring federal grant funding and oversight for early childhood special education to the Early Childhood Education and Care Department.
Information from this article can be found here.
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