Committee on Special Education FAQ

What is the Committee on Special Education (CSE)?

The Committee on Special Education (CSE) serves children between the ages 5-21 who are eligible for special education age services. Referrals to the Committee on Special Education may be made by district staff or parents.   If you suspect that your child may have a disability that requires specialized instruction, you are encouraged to refer your child, in writing to the Committee on Special Education, in the office of Special Education Services. Upon its receipt of a referral, the Committee will send to you a "Request for Consent to Evaluate Form", the Procedural Safeguards and Your Child’s Rights to Special Education.   In order to begin the process, a parent must sign and return the “Consent to Evaluate” form to the Office of Special Education Services.  The District then has 60 calendar days to complete the process.

Who participates in the CSE meeting?

The committee is comprised of the following members: the parents of the child, a district representative authorized by the Board of Education, a special education teacher, a regular education teacher, and the school psychologist. A parent member, (a parent of a student who was previously classified) may be requested. Other participants may include district staff who evaluated the student, service providers and anyone the parent or district chooses to invite who has special knowledge or expertise regarding the student.

How is eligibility determined?

After reviewing all the information gathered, all the formal evaluations completed, parent and teacher input, the CSE will determine whether the student has a disability and whether the disability has an adverse effect on the student’s educational performance that requires specialized instruction and/ or related services. If the CSE determines that a student has a disability as defined in law, it will develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and recommend services, in the least restrictive setting, to meet the student’s needs.

At any point in time during the process the parent has the right to withdraw consent and the referral process may not proceed. Once a child receives services under an IEP, a parent may revoke consent for special education in writing to Susan LeCointe-Dorsett, Director of Special Education, 5 Homeside Lane, White Plains, NY 10605.