The district provides a continuum of special education services which allow for the placement of preschool and school-age students in the least restrictive environment consistent with their needs.  The least restrictive environment means that the placement of students with disabilities in special classes, separate schools or other removal from the general education environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the student’s disability is such that even with the use of supplementary aids and services, education in the general education environment cannot be satisfactorily achieved. A student’s need for special education services is assessed through an evaluation process that begins with a referral:

Referral Process:

The Committee on Special Education (CSE) is responsible for arranging for the evaluation of any school age student who is suspected of having a disability.

The process begins when a written request for an evaluation is made by either:

• the student's parent or person in parental relationship,
• a professional staff member of the school district in which the student resides, or the public or private school the student legally attends,
• a staff member of a state approved special education program,
• a designee of an education program affiliated with a child care institution
• a licensed physician or judicial officer,
• a professional staff member of a public agency with responsibility for welfare, health or education of children;
• or a student who is 18 years of age or older, or an emancipated minor, who is eligible to attend the public schools of the district.

The referral must be in writing to either the school principal at the location where the child is educated or to:

Committee on Special Education
Clarkstown Central School District
62 Old Middletown Road
New City, NY 10956

 Evaluations:

Once a referral is received the Special Education Office will arrange for the evaluation which will include the following, at no cost to the parent:

• An individualized psychological evaluation,
• A social history,
• An observation,
• Other appropriate assessments or evaluations as necessary to ascertain the physical, mental and emotional factors, which contribute to the suspected disability,
• A physical evaluation.

Initial Eligibility Meeting:

Once the evaluation process is completed the parents/guardian will be invited to meet with the Committee on Special Education (CSE) to determine if their child is eligible to be classified as a student with a disability and receive special education services. At this time, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be created if the student is determined to be eligible. An IEP is a written statement, developed, reviewed and revised as needed but at least annually. It is developed in agreement with the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. An IEP outlines the modifications, accommodations, placement, goals and/or related services that are necessary to meet the unique educational needs of a student with a disability. All services, accommodations, modifications, and potential educational placements are discussed at the at the initial eligibility meeting once the student is determined to be classified as having a disability.