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5121 Pre-School Special Education

Adoption Date: 6/21/2007
5000 - Students
Progress
5121 Pre-School Special Education

The Board of Education recognizes the value of special education and its responsibility in ensuring that all resident preschool children with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in special programs and services from which they may benefit. The Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to establish administrative practices and procedures, which shall include:

1. Locating and identifying all preschool children with disabilities pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Education Law. The register of children eligible to attend a preschool special education program is to be maintained and revised annually by the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE);
2. Ensuring that the parents/guardians of preschool age children with disabilities have received and understand the request for consent for evaluation of their child;
3. Developing an individualized education program (IEP) for each preschool age child with a disability;
4. Appointing and training appropriately qualified personnel including the members of a CPSE;
5. Maintaining lists of impartial hearing officers and of State Education Department-approved special education programs within the county and adjoining counties in which the School District is located; and
6.  Reporting to the State Education Department the number of children with disabilities that are being served, as well as those not served.

The Board of Education hereby establishes the CPSE as required under the Education Law. Its responsibilities will include the evaluation and recommendation for placement in appropriate approved programs and the provision of appropriate special education programs and services for each preschool child with a disability. The CPSE shall review, at least annually, the status of each preschool child with a disability.

It is ultimately the responsibility of the Board of Education to arrange for the appropriate approved preschool special education program and services for the District children. Should the Board disagree with the CPSE's recommendations, it shall send the recommendation back to the CPSE so that they may schedule a timely meeting to review the Board of Education’s concerns and to revise the IEP as deemed appropriate.

Placement may be appealed by a parent/guardian to an impartial hearing officer, appointed by the Board of Education. Mediation shall be offered to such parents/guardians to resolve complaints regarding the education of preschool children with disabilities at the same time notice of the availability of an impartial hearing is provided.

The CPSE shall make an annual report on the status of each preschool child with a disability and report on the adequacy of preschool special education programs and services to the Board of Education.

The Board of Education directs the Superintendent to ensure that the District considers that adequate and appropriate space is made available for such preschool special education programs and services.

The Board of Education further directs the Superintendent of Schools or designee to develop and maintain a plan which incorporates information concerning the provision of services for preschool children with disabilities, pursuant to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

Policy References:
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§1400 et seq.
34 CFR §§300.12; 300.503
Education Law §4410
8 NYCRR Part 200 

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