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Committee on Special Education (CSE)

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The Committee on Special Education (CSE) is responsible for students who are between the ages of 5-21. 

The CSE is authorized to identify students in need of services by determining eligibility, developing an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), placing the student in the least restrictive environment in which they can succeed and provide appropriate services to meet the child's educational needs.

 

This committee is a multidisciplinary team that is approved by the Board of Education and consists of the following people/staff:              

  • District representative 
  • Regular education teacher of the student whenever the student is or may be participating in the regular education environment.
  • Special education teacher, or if appropriate, special education provider of the student
  • School Psychologist
  • An individual who understands and can explain evaluation results and how the results affect instruction
  • A parent member who has a child with a disability, if the parent requests that the parent member be present
  • School physician, if requested by the parent
  • Any other people who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the student, as requested by the parent or the school district
  • The student, if appropriate
  • Parent(s) of the student

** Parents are encouraged to participate in each step of the process and it is important that the parent(s) be at the student's meetings.  The parents are the key to helping this whole process be successful and we encourage you to be a part of it all.   

The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a legal document. The components are mandated by Federal and State law. Included in the document are demographic information; attendees at meetings; the student's strengths, weaknesses, and needs; services; goals and objectives; program modifications; testing accommodations; standardized test scores; participation in general education, etc. The plan is created at the CSE meeting.

 
Students who qualify for special education services will be classified under the at least one of the 13 classifications indicated below:
 
  • Autism                                        Deafness                                        
  • Deaf-blindness                            Emotional disturbance               
  • Hearing Impairment                     Learning disability
  • Intellectual disability                    Multiple disabilities                        
  • Orthopedic impairment                Other health-impairment            
  • Speech or language impairment    Traumatic brain injury
  • Visual impairment

 

Annual Review/Program Review

Children's needs are unique, and every child's rate of progress differs. The CSE reviews the progress of all classified children annually to assure that their programs remain appropriate, make necessary modifications, and discuss the student's progress for the past year and to make plans for the coming year.  
Educators are required to submit written reports with both information and data.  Summer is part of the next school year. It is at this time that Extended School Year (ESY) services are discussed and possibly added to the IEP.
Changes in services can be considered at any time during the school year. Should the need arise, you, your child's teacher or service provider, may request a CSE meeting at any time to review the appropriateness of special education services.
 

Re-evaluation

Every 3 years students who receive special education services are reevaluated to determine individual needs and continuing eligibility for special education services. The reevaluation does not necessarily require that your child be retested. In some cases, current educational information, teacher conferences, parent conferences, observations and a review of records provides the required information needed for the CSE to recommend services. You will be notified in writing when your child is scheduled to be reevaluated and you will be requested to give your written consent.
 
Independent Education Evaluations
District Policy 7680 outlines the conditions under which families may obtain independent evaluations at the District's expense.  Please see the Policy 7680 and the associated Administrative Regulation/Process here.