The Committee on Special Education (CSE) is a multidisciplinary team of school professionals and parents whose membership is appointed by the Board of Education and they are responsible for the identification and recommendation of appropriate programs for all students, ages 5-21, who qualify for special education services.
If a parent is interested in a referral to the Committee on Special Education (CSE) or has concerns that may warrant assessment of student progress, they are encouraged to first discuss concerns with their building principal and school psychologist, as each building has a Response to Intervention Team that should first address student needs. This process is recommended by law, and is often more meaningful to the students’ immediate needs.
All special education placements are determined by the Committee on Special Education or the Subcommittee on Special Education.
Both committees, in conjunction with parents, and teachers, help create Individual Education Plans (IEP's) for each school-age child with a disability on an annual basis.
The Individual Education Plan (IEP) includes information about the unique learning needs of the student, such as learning rate, levels of social and physical development as well as management needs. The Individual Education Plan (IEP) document also includes annual services and/or placement to address academic, social and other areas of the student’s educational development. This will serve as a curriculum plan of action and a source of evaluation for the student’s progress throughout the entire school year. Additionally, there is a focus on long-term planning and post-secondary outcomes as students turn 15 years of age. The Individual Education Plan (IEP) is reviewed annually and changes are recommended based on progress the students makes. A student who achieves their goals may be considered for Declassification of special education supports.