The Board of Education recognizes the value of early intervention to address the needs of preschool children with disabilities.  The Board further recognizes its responsibility to provide all resident preschool children with disabilities with the opportunity to participate in preschool programs, approved by the Commissioner of Education, from which they may benefit educationally. The Board authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to establish administrative practices and procedures which shall include:

1.         Locating, identifying, evaluating, referring and placing all preschool children (generally ages three and four) with disabilities.  The register of children eligible to attend a preschool program is to be maintained and revised annually by the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE);

2.         Being responsible for the parent(s)/guardian(s) of preschool age children with disabilities receiving and understanding 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 the CPSE; 

5.         Maintaining lists of impartial hearing officers and of State Education Department-approved special education programs within the county and adjacent counties in which the District is located;

6.         Preparing and keeping on file summary reports of student data including the number of preschool students with disabilities served, as well students referred but not served and the reasons why they are not served; and

7.         Reporting to the State Education Department the data on preschool children with disabilities as required, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner.

            The duties described above will be carried out within the timeframes established by statute and regulation.

            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 to arrange for the appropriate approved preschool program and services for the District’s 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’s concerns and to revise the IEP, as deemed appropriate.

            In the event that a parent/guardian files a due process complaint, a meeting must be convened between the parent/guardian and representatives of the District to try and resolve the complaint within 15 days of receiving the notice, and before the initiation of an impartial hearing.  Parents/guardians and the District will jointly determine who should be present at this meeting.

            If an agreement cannot be reached, parent/guardians shall be offered mediation 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.

            The Board directs the Superintendent 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.

 Ref:    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, 200.2, 200.5, 200.16