The Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) determines special education eligibility for children 3 to 5 years of age. An evaluation can begin at the age of 2 years and 6 months. Children are identified as a Preschool Student with a Disability by meeting eligibility criteria as outlined by the New York State Education Department. Eligibility is determined by an individual evaluation administered by a multidisciplinary team. If eligible, special education services are provided within a continuum of services from least restrictive to a restrictive setting. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed for each child meeting the eligibility criteria. The child’s program is reviewed at least once a year. There is a 12-month program (summer session) for preschoolers. Eligibility is determined by the CPSE. Not all children are eligible to attend the summer session.

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Referral to the CPSE

Referrals are made in writing by parents, professionals, caregivers, program providers, or other individuals who are concerned about a child’s development. A referral can also be initiated by calling the CPSE office. Children transitioning from the Department of Health’s Early Intervention Program that serves infants and toddlers, birth through age two (2) may be referred to the CPSE by the early intervention services coordinator, upon parental consent.

Evaluation Components

• Written parent consent is obtained before any evaluation is conducted. An evaluation must include the first four (4) components listed below.
• Social History
• Vision 
• Psychological Evaluation
• Education Evaluation, including an observation within the child’s preschool or day care setting
• Medical History
• Supplemental Evaluations: Depending upon the concerns for the child, these may include a speech-language evaluation, occupational therapy evaluation, physical therapy evaluation, a Functional Behavioral Assessment, or an audiological assessment. A child may receive one (1) or several of these evaluations.

Continuum of Services

• Related Services Only
  • Therapy services provided in the home, day care, preschool or a combination of locations
• Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT)
  • A special education teacher experienced with working with preschoolers provides pre-academic skills development. Typically, SEIT is provided in an academic setting such as a preschool or day care. SEIT can also be provided in the home
• Special Education Class in an Integrated Setting
  • The child attends a program in a school setting with typical peers. The class size can not exceed 12 children with disabilities. The total number of children in the class will vary and may exceed 18 children. These programs are available for half day and full day programming, two (2) to five (5) days per week
• Special Classes
  • The maximum class size for this program is 12 students and may be as few as 6 students. This is a self-contained setting with a special education teacher as the instructor and a classroom aide in the classroom. Self-contained classes are available for half day and full days, two (2) to five (5) days a week.
•  In-State residential Special Education Programs and Services
  • This is the most restrictive setting that requires approval by the Commissioner of Education. The child must attend a minimum of five (5) hours a day, five (5) days per week

Committee on Preschool Special Education Members

• Parent(s) of the student
• Regular education teacher of the child whenever the child is or may be participating in the general education environment
• Special education teacher of the child or, if appropriate, special education provider of the child
• School district representative (CPSE Chairperson) who is qualified to provide or supervise special education and is knowledgeable about the general curriculum and the availability of preschool special education programs and services and other resources of the school district and the municipality
• An individual who understands and can address evaluation results and how these results affect instruction (this person may also be the special education teacher/provider, regular education teacher, school psychologist, school district representative or someone that the school district determines has knowledge or special expertise regarding the student)
• A licensed or certified professional from the Department of Health's Early Intervention Program (for a child in transition from the Early Intervention Program
• Other people that have knowledge or special expertise regarding the child, including related service personnel as appropriate (as requested by a parent or school district)
• A county representative (a certified or licensed preschool representative from the municipality must be notified of scheduled meetings; however, the CPSE meeting can be held regardless of whether the municipal representative attends)