Committee on Special Education (CSE) Process

Through a Parent’s Lens

How does a student become involved with the CSE?

If your school-age child is having difficulties in school, the first step is to talk with his or her classroom teacher.  There are many supports in place for students within the general education program such as speech and language improvement, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and Academic Intervention Services. Each building in the Newark Central School District has an Instructional Support Team or Student Response Team that will help determine if your child should access these services.  If the Instructional Support Team or Student Response Team and you feel that your child cannot benefit from the building level support, your child may have a disability that impacts his or her learning.  At this point a referral to the Committee of Special Education can be made.  The referral is a written request made by you or school personnel to request educational testing in order to determine if your child has a disability.

What happens after a referral is made?

After a written referral is made to the CSE, consent for testing will be mailed to you.  Along with this consent form will be information about your rights and responsibilities, social history, medical questionnaire and evaluation considerations.  The signed consent form must be returned to the CSE office before testing can begin.  Depending on the nature of the suspected disability, multiple tests may be needed to make an accurate determination.  All students referred to CSE will be given cognitive and achievement testing by a certified school psychologist.  Additional testing may be administered by the Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist or other related services professionals.

What happens after initial CSE testing?

Once the initial CSE testing is completed, a CSE meeting will be scheduled and the results of the testing discussed.  If it is determined that your child has a disability, the CSE will determine what special education services are necessary.  The special education team will develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) which will be used to guide programming.

What is an IEP?

An IEP is a guidance document that identifies a student’s unique needs and describes what services, modifications, and/or accommodations would be available to the student based on those needs.  The goal of the IEP is to provide a pathway for students to meet the educational standards of New York State.  The IEP can be amended as needed and is reviewed at least once a year by the CSE in a meeting called an Annual Review.

What special education services are available to my child?

The Newark Central School District offers a continuum of special education services.  The District is committed to providing services to the greatest extent possible in the least restrictive environment.  The least restrictive environment is when a student can be instructed with his or her peers without disabilities and still receives the appropriate supports and services identified in his or her IEP.

What are the Continuum of Special Education Services ?

Consultant Teacher Services are provided to students within the general education classroom for a minimum of two hours per week.  In this model, the special education teacher works directly with the students and/or the classroom teacher to prepare materials, modify delivery of instruction or provide additional interventions to ensure that the student will benefit from the general education classroom. Classrooms that typically have consultant teacher services may be referred to as an inclusion model.

Resource Rooms provide support services outside the general education classroom.  Resource Room services are designed to provide reinforcement or supplemental instruction of previously taught skills.  Resource Room services may also include study skills and/or support with organizing materials.

Special Classes are designed for students who need a small, structured environment for their primary instruction.  Students who attend Special Classes need significant support in academics, social, physical, and/or management needs.  While the content may be matched closely with that of the general education class, the delivery and pace may be modified to meet the needs of the student.

Special Classes may be referred to as a 15:1 (15 students and 1 teacher), a 12:1:1 (12 students, 1 teacher, and 1 aide), or 6:1:1: (6 students, 1 teacher, and 1 aide).

Special Classes are also offered at BOCES programs and/or private schools.  Students with needs that cannot be addressed within the Newark Central School District may attend a program outside of the district.  These programs are highly specialized and offer personnel and/or equipment that are necessary to meet the student’s needs.

What are related services?

Related services are offered to both general and special education students.  These services include but are not limited to: Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Vision Therapy, Assistive Technology, and Counseling.  Students suspected of being in need of one or more of these services are referred for an evaluation. The results of the evaluation determine the level of services necessary to meet the student’s needs.