Committees
Student Staff Support Team (SSST)
Each School has an SSST which meets regularly. The team consists of
the building principal or designee, the psychologist, the social
worker/guidance counselor, the speech therapist, the classroom teacher
and any other faculty or staff member who may be familiar with the child
being discussed. The purpose of the SSST is to make decisions regarding
the student's needs for a special program or service that is available
in the school. The SSST may recommend that if all else fails, the
student may require a referral to the Committee on Preschool Special
Education (CPSE) or the Committee on Special Education (CSE).
Preschool Special Education (CPSE)
Preschool children between the ages of 3 and 5, thought to have an
educational disability are referred to the Committee on Preschool
Special Education (CPSE). Eligibility as a preschooler with a disability
depends on the results of a comprehensive evaluation. If a child is
determined to have a disability, the CPSE may recommend a preschool
special education program or the Committee may recommend related
services within a general education setting or at the child's home, to
meet his needs.
The preschool program is fully sponsored by Nassau County. There are
evaluation sites and County approved preschool programs and services
available to serve the needs of all resident preschoolers. There are
full day and half day programs, as well as related services in speech,
occupational therapy, physical therapy, special education services, play
therapy, parent training, adaptive physical education and a host of
others. State law requires that preschoolers with disabilities be
educated to the extent possible with their non-disabled peers.
The CPSE reconvenes each Spring to review the progress that the
preschooler has made to determine whether or not the same level of
intervention is required during the next school year.
Special Education (CSE)
Students from 5-21 years of age, may be referred to the CSE if they
are thought to have an educational disability. Upon referral, a
comprehensive educationally oriented evaluation is conducted to help the
CSE determine if a disability exists and if so, the type of disability.
The evaluation is conducted individually and must include the
following:
- A physical examination
- A psychological evaluation (where determined by the school
psychologist)
- A social history
- A classroom observation
- Other assessments relating to the areas of the suspected
disability
District Committee on Special Education (CSE)
The Committee on Special Education meets regularly to determine
whether or not children ages 5-21, have an educational disability. The
Director of Special Education and Special Services acts as the
Chairperson of the Committee. The Committee consists of an
interdisciplinary team who review the results of the child's
comprehensive evaluation to determine whether there is evidence of an
educational disability. The Committee functions under Federal Law and
the Regulations of the State of New York. If a child is found to have a
disability, it is the responsibility of the CSE to identify services and
programs that can meet their needs. Each year the CSE conducts an annual
review with the parents of the youngster to determine the child's
progress and to plan for the next school year. The CSE attempts to reach
consensus in its deliberations. However, if consensus is not achieved,
the Committee can seek an impartial hearing or mediation. If the CSE
does not find the child eligible for special education, the child will
be referred to his/her school for building level support.