The New York State Special Education Task Force (NYSETF) was originally formed as a local task force in the Capital Region and focused on improving the educational outcomes of students with disabilities.  The task force purposefully promoted participation and collaboration among all stakeholders, including parents, advocates, attorneys, school personnel, service providers, educators, government representatives and individuals with disabilities. Because of the outstanding success of the model, the Capital District Task Force unanimously agreed to promote the development of Task Forces in other regions across the State while establishing a Statewide Special Education Task Force to support, facilitate and represent regional task forces.  The State Task Force operates through Disability Rights New York (DRNY), the Protection and Advocacy agency for New York State.  

Video produced for Special Education Task Force describing the mission of the Task Force

About Us

What We Do?

New York State

Special Education Task Force

For more information on establishing or joining a Regional Affiliate read, Regional Affiliate.


Regional Affiliate

Task Forces


With the support of the State Task Force, Regional
Affiliate task forces serve several important purposes:

  •  Providing a forum where all parents, advocates, attorneys, school personnel, service providers and individuals with disabilities can discuss issues, policies, proposed changes to law and regulations impacting students with disabilities;

  • Purposefully choosing and conducting all activities in a manner which promotes participation and collaboration of stakeholders and interested persons in the region;     

  • Promoting and encouraging networking, discussion and initiatives among stakeholders and interested persons in the region;

  • Identifying issues impacting students with disabilities and promoting awareness of such issues among all stakeholders in the region; and

  • Sharing information about issues, trends, gaps, and initiatives related to students with disabilities with the State Task Force.

Purpose

​The New York State Special Education Task Force serves six important purposes:

  • Increase awareness of issues and trends in different parts of the state;

  • Increase awareness of proposed and actual changes in law and policy;​Increase awareness of, and access to, resources and advocacy tools;

  •  Actively develop regional State Task Force affiliates in all areas of the State and ensure that each regional affiliate reflects and promotes the collaboration of diverse stakeholders;​

  • Enhance knowledge and connections to create sustainable collaborations at the local level; and

  • Provide a statewide forum for diverse stakeholders to collaborate and promote improvement in the educational outcomes for students with disabilities.