The Journey from CPSE to Kindergarten MichaelJoseph MercantiAnthony

The Journey from CPSE to Kindergarten Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony, ED. D Director of Special Education Pre-K-12 Kristen Arita CPSE Chairperson

Goals for this Evening: Agenda • 1. Provide an overview of the preschool to Kindergarten transition process • 2. To assure that parents feel informed and comfortable at transition conversations Mamaroneck Union Free School District

The Transitional Sequence CPSE MEETING CSE MEETING Declassified Mamaroneck Union Free School District

What Happens at the CSE? Transition Planning A review of progress and updated testing information: ØDetermination of eligibility for Extended School Year Services (Summer Services). ØDetermination of whether your child will be referred to Committee on Special Education (CSE). ØIdentification of school/community resources available to you and your child Mamaroneck Union Free School District

The Parent as a CPSE/CSE Team Member • The district must give ample notice about where and when the meeting will be held You are an integral part of the CPSE/CSE • The invitation will include the names of the individuals attending the meeting • The evaluators will provide copies of reports and the district will provide a Draft IEP prior to the meeting Mamaroneck Union Free School District

Declassification When? • Before the end of the school year or at the end of the school year Why? • No longer exhibits a 33% delay in one area of development or a 25% delay in two areas of development as evidenced by updated evaluations and progress reports Mamaroneck Union Free School District

What Informs Declassification? • Evaluations performed by a Westchester County approved CPSE evaluation agency of your choice • Evaluations in the child’s native language • Evaluators contact parent to schedule the evaluation • Evaluators share reports with parents prior to CPSE meeting Mamaroneck Union Free School District

What if my child still needs some help? • Students who may need extra support in Kindergarten are identified through screenings and progress monitoring. • Building Level Supports: • Instructional Support Team (IST) • Five Minute Articulation • TLC Rooms/Zones of Regulation • Fine Motor Centers • Social Skills Groups Mamaroneck Union Free School District

The CSE Committee on Special Education 9

Transition Pathway Eligible Special Education Services CSE Ineligible CPSE Declassification Building Based Support through General Education 10

Who is at the CSE Meeting? Required members of the CSE include: Ø Parent/Legal Guardian Ø School district representative (CSE chairperson) Ø Psychologist Ø Special education teacher Ø General education teacher (if child is in general education) Ø Others (translator, speech therapist, etc. ) Parents must put a request in writing if they would like to invite an additional person to the meeting (parent member, private evaluator, etc. ) 11

How is Eligibility Determined? Determined Evaluation by a multidisciplinary team Ø Developmental Ø Psychological Ø Educational Ø Classroom history evaluation observation Ø Speech, OT, and PT as appropriate Ø Teacher reports from preschool staff Ø Interviews with parents 12

Eligibility For Classification in CSE New York State Education Department has established 13 disability classifications for students who are eligible to receive special education support. Autism Multiple Disability Deafness Orthopedic Impairment Deaf Blindness Other Health Impairment Emotional Disturbance Traumatic Brain Injury Hearing Impairment Speech and Language Impairment Intellectual Disability Visual Impairment, including blindness Learning Disability 13

What happens next? Once eligibility is determined the CSE will develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP): Ø Present Levels of Performance Ø Special factors (Behavior Supports, Assistive Technology, etc. ) Ø Goals Ø Programs and Related Services (Least Restrictive Environment) Ø Aides, Modifications and Accommodations Ø Supports for Staff (consultations with specialists) Ø Special Transportation 14

The Continuum of Services in Mamaroneck Least Restrictive -Related Services -Consultant Teacher Services -Resource Room -Integrated Co-Teaching -Special Class -Outside of District Most Restrictive 15

What do the programs look like? Related Services Ø Speech or Counseling is provided in a 6 day cycle Ø OT and PT are provided on a weekly basis Programs Ø Consultant Teacher – Special Education Teacher pushes in to provide direct or indirect support Ø Resource Room - Up to 5 SWD taught by a Special Education teacher 40 min/5 x out of a 6 day cycle Ø Integrated Co-teaching Classroom – A K Classroom co-taught by a Special Education Teacher and a Regular Education Teacher Ø 12: 1: 2 Special Class – Up to 12 SWD in one K-2 classroom, who are integrated into typical classrooms as appropriate Ø 8: 1: 2 Special Class – Up to 8 SWD in one K-2 classroom, who are integrated into typical classrooms as appropriate 16

Retaining a Child in Preschool: Is my child ready? Ø All 5 year olds, who are found eligible for special services during the CPSE, must transition to the CSE, regardless of whether a parent intends to retain them in preschool for an additional year Ø Related Services are provided at one of the four elementary schools during school hours Ø Programs, such as consultant teacher, are not accessible to children who do not attend MUFSD Kindergarten 17

ü Special Education is a fluid process ü Our doors are always open ü Questions? Contact Information: Mike Mercanti-Anthony 914 -220 -3060 mmercantianthony@mamkschools. org Kristen Arita 914 -220 -3074 karita@mamkschools. org 18