Establishes requirements concerning methods for determining whether student has specific learning disability under federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.*

This bill (S 1812) changes how New Jersey schools identify students with specific learning disabilities under federal law. It requires schools to use research-based methods like response-to-intervention instead of relying on a large gap between a student’s IQ and achievement scores (which will be banned starting July 2023). Schools must also conduct comprehensive evaluations assessing students’ psychological needs, not just one single test. The law directly affects public school districts and students in New Jersey who may need special education services.