4410 & 853 schools are approved private special education schools, chartered by the Board of Regents, that serve students whose local school districts and BOCES are unable to educate because of the complexity of their disabilities.  Over 15,000 public school children across NYS are being denied equity in funding to local public school districts and as a result, these schools are struggling to provide high-quality instruction to our children. 

New York State has a legal responsibility under the federal IDEA to provide a "free and appropriate public education" (FAPE) to all children regardless of disability.

These schools have suffered for many years without any increase in tuition and very small increases. Since 2012, state aid to school districts has gone up by 46%, but during the same time period, 853 programs have received just 26% and preschool special education providers have received only a 10% increase in tuition! This inequity in funding has a significant negative impact on our preschool and school- age providers’ ability to keep up with rising fixed costs and to hire and retain certified teachers and certified teacher assistants.  Our children need the same equity, access, and quality afforded to all children in NYS.