What is the Committee on Special Education (CSE)?
Every school district in New York State has a Committee on Special Education (sometimes called the CSE). The CSE has primary responsibility for making recommendations on classification, evaluation and educational programs for children ages 5-21 who require special education.
What is the Committee on Pre-School Special Education (CPSE)?
Every school district in New York State has a Committee on Pre-School Special Education (sometimes called the CPSE). The CPSE has primary responsibility for making recommendations on classification, evaluation and educational programs for children ages 3-5 who require special education in collaboration with representatives from the County in which the child resides.
What is the Section 504 Committee?
The Section 504 Committee reviews each student's individual information to determine whether there is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. The Committee’s primary responsibility is to work with the general education programming to provide accommodations and modifications to meet the student’s needs.
What should you do if you feel that your school-age child needs special education?
If your school-age child is having difficulties in school, first talk to your child’s teacher. There are many supports and services available for students within regular education to help students who are experiencing difficulty. Supports available in general education include speech/language improvement services, counseling support, curriculum and instructional modifications, and Academic Intervention Services (AIS) in reading and math. In addition, Charlotte Valley has an Instructional Support Team (IST) that can help to develop strategies and supports to help students experience success.
If, after supports and strategies have been attempted, and you continue to believe that your child may have a disability that affects his or her learning, you can make a referral in writing to the Committee on Special Education requesting an evaluation. Following that referral, you may be contacted by the CSE Chairperson for an informal meeting to discuss your referral, or you will receive a consent letter to begin testing.
HOW ARE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES DELIVERED TO STUDENTS?
Several staff members, including special education teachers, general education teachers, speech teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and counselors, provide services to identified students. At Charlotte Valley, teachers work together as a team to develop and implement individualized programs to meet each child’s unique needs. In addition, the district contracts with Otsego Northern Catskill BOCES for related services such as occupational therapy and speech and language therapy and services for students with visual or hearing impairments. Charlotte Valley Central School District’s philosophy is one of inclusion. Students with disabilities are educated in classrooms with their peers to the greatest extent possible. Specialized instruction is provided within classroom settings whenever possible. From kindergarten on, students are educated in general education classes right here in our home school. Students are removed from general education only when special education and related services provided in the classroom are not sufficient to assist the student in making effective progress in the curriculum.
HOW DOES THE CHARLOTTE VALLEY CSE ENSURE NEEDS ARE MET?
Program offerings change from year to year, based upon the individual needs of students identified by the Committee on Special Education. At annual meetings of the CSE, student strengths, weaknesses and needs are reviewed and appropriate programs are developed to address those needs. Special Education services are designed according a continuum of services with the goal of meeting student’s unique needs in general education classrooms to the greatest extent possible.
Acronyms frequently used in Special Education
ACCES-VR - Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation
ADA – American Disabilities Act
ADHD/ADD – Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder/Attention Deficit Disorder
FAPE – Free Appropriate Public Education
IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEP – Individual Education Program
LD – Learning Disabled
LRE – Least Restrictive Environment
NCLB – No Child Left Behind
NYSAA – New York State Alternate Assessment
OHI – Other Health Impaired
PLP – Present Levels of Performance