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North Bergen Board adopts updated procedures for special-education eligibility
Summary
The board adopted new procedures under N.J.A.C. 6A:14 outlining how a "severe discrepancy" will be determined for special‑education eligibility, effective Jan. 2, 2025, including a standardized-testing threshold and required additional considerations.
The North Bergen Board of Education on Nov. 20 adopted new procedures (Resolution No. 58) to guide determinations of special‑education eligibility under N.J.A.C. 6A:14–3.5.
The policy sets a quantitative threshold for a "severe discrepancy" between a student’s measured intellectual ability and current academic achievement: a difference of at least 1.5 standard deviations (defined in the resolution as 22.5 points). In addition to standardized test results, the procedures require review of consistent failure to meet district core standards, the student’s ability to complete grade‑level work independently, organization and study skills, teacher and parental input, and previous formal interventions (for example, Section 504 plans or NJMTSS Tier 2/3 interventions).
The resolution specifies that a determination shall not be made if the determinant factor is lack of instruction in reading or mathematics or if the student's challenges are primarily due to visual/hearing/motor disabilities, general intellectual deficits, emotional regulation impairments, or environmental, cultural or economic disadvantage. The procedures will take effect Jan. 2, 2025 and supersede any prior resolution on the process.
Board members recorded unanimous approval.
District officials noted the procedures are intended to align local practice with the referenced state administrative code and to standardize eligibility determinations across the district’s Child Study Team evaluations. The full procedures and criteria are on file with the district.
