PORTLAND (AP) — Maine education officials are exploring shifting special education services for 3-to-5-year-olds from the state to local school districts.
The Maine Department of Education sent a memo announcing the proposal to districts last week.
Education Commissioner Bob Hasson says the current system is suffering from a lack of funding and a shortage of special education providers.
Under the proposal, schools will take on more responsibilities such as finding the children and creating individual education plans.
Many superintendents meetings say they support the plan. Still, several had questions on how schools would pay for it and how they would find space for potential students.
If approved, Hasson says the change would take three years to implement.
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