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SJ 261

Specialized Education School Week; designating as first week of Oct. 2025 & each succeeding year.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ghazala Hashmi and 1 co-sponsor

Designates the first week of October each year as Specialized Education School Week in Virginia to raise awareness of specialized education options.

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ261ER)
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Bill Summary · SJ 261

Summary of SB/SJ 261: Specialized Education School Week; designation in Virginia

Overview

  • Type: Non-binding concurrent resolution (Senate Joint Resolution) that designates a recurring awareness week.
  • Designation: The first week of October, starting in 2025 and in each following year, as Specialized Education School Week in Virginia.
  • Status: Passed both chambers; SJ261ER (enrolled). Agreed to by Senate on Jan 22, 2025 and by House on Feb 20, 2025.

Purpose and Intent

  • To acknowledge the important role of specialized education schools in Virginia’s continuum of K-12 options, particularly for students with the most serious emotional, mental health, and behavioral health disabilities.
  • To raise statewide awareness of specialized education schools, their licensed status, accreditation, and the services they provide in partnership with public districts.

Key Provisions

  • Designation: Officially designates the first week of October (beginning in 2025) as Specialized Education School Week in Virginia, with annual recurrence.
  • Outreach and notice: Directs the Clerk of the Senate to transmit the designation to the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities (VAISEF) so members are aware of the General Assembly’s intention.
  • Public posting: Requires the Clerk of the Senate to post the designation on the General Assembly’s website.
  • Contextual statements: Includes multiple “Whereas” clauses describing the role and characteristics of specialized education schools (e.g., low student-to-staff ratios, trained staff, crisis intervention capabilities, licensing by the Department of Education, and accreditation by VAISEF).

Affected Parties and Potential Impact

  • Affected groups: Virginia students with complex educational, therapeutic, and behavioral needs who enroll in specialized education schools; families; public school districts; private providers of specialized education services; staff at these schools; VAISEF; Virginia Department of Education.
  • Impact: Primarily ceremonial and awareness-raising. No new funding, mandates, or policy changes are created by this resolution. It signals recognition and may encourage collaboration and visibility for specialized education options.

Procedural Timeline Highlights

  • Introduced: January 8, 2025.
  • Referred to: Committee on Rules (January 8, 2025).
  • Reported from Rules: February 4, 2025; further action February 17-20, 2025.
  • Senate action: Agreed to by Senate (voice vote) January 22, 2025.
  • House action: Agreed to by House February 20, 2025.
  • Enrolled: SJ261ER reflects the combined designation after passage by both chambers.

Notes

  • The designation emphasizes awareness and collaboration regarding specialized education options, alongside existing licensing and accreditation standards (DOE licensing and VAISEF accreditation). It does not create new programs or funding.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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