Children between the ages of 3 and 5 years of age may be referred to the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) for an initial evaluation, if there are concerns about the child’s cognitive, behavior, articulation, language, fine motor or gross motor development. Referrals may be made to the CPSE Chairperson by the child’s parent(s). This is a voluntary process, and the referral may be withdrawn at any time, if the parent wishes to do so.

Children may also be referred to the CPSE if they have been receiving services through their county’s Early Intervention Program and are turning three. The Early Intervention Coordinator will facilitate this transition.

Once a referral is made and consent for the evaluation is signed, the parent selects an evaluator from a list of preschool providers approved by the county of residence. At the time of the evaluation, parents will complete a social history, indicating when developmental milestones were reached. A school psychologist will evaluate the child’s cognitive functioning and social interactions. Additional assessments will be completed, depending on motor and/or language concerns. Also, parents will need to provide documentation from the child’s pediatrician regarding the child’s health and immunization records.

Following the evaluation, a CPSE meeting is convened to review the results and determine eligibility for special education services. If a child is found to have significant delays in one or more areas which negatively affect the child’s ability to learn, he/she may be classified as a Preschool Child with a Disability. Services will be determined based on the child’s area(s) of need, and in accordance with the guidelines established in Section 4410 of the NYS Education Law. Any services provided will be provided in the Least Restrictive Environment, and will be reviewed at least annually.

If the committee determines that the preschool child has a disability, the committee shall first consider the appropriateness of providing: related services only; or special education itinerant services only; or related services in combination with special education itinerant services; or a half-day preschool program; or finally a full-day preschool program.

Prior to recommending the provision of special education services in a setting which includes only preschool children with disabilities, the committee shall first consider providing special education services in a setting where age-appropriate peers without disabilities are typically found. Provision of special education services in a setting with no regular contact with age-appropriate peers without disabilities shall only be considered when the nature or severity of the child's disability is such that education in a less restrictive environment with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
 

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