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Preschool

Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE)


All children with disabilities ages 3-5 are eligible to receive special education services as determined by the Committee on Preschool Education. The CPSE is a decision making committee who determine eligibility and the appropriate level of services for preschool children.  

The Committee is made up of individuals from:

  • the school district
  • the evaluating agency
  • Erie County
  • the child's parents; and
  • a parent representative (if requested by parent)

The committee determines the appropriateness of services for preschool children, which may include:

  • LRE (Least Restrictive Environment)
  • Home, day care or preschool that the child currently attends
  • In a special education classroom at an approved State Education Preschool Program
  •  Full and half-day center-based programs
  • Integrated programs
  • Speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy

CPSE Evaluation: The initial evaluation is comprehensive. The evaluation includes:

  •  a social history
  • a psychological assessment
  • a medical history assessment
  • an educational assessment/observation
  •  other appropriate assessments as defined by New York State Education Department Guidelines

Who is Eligible: A preschool student having a significant delay in one or more functional areas related to:

  • Cognitive skills
  • Communication skills
  • Social-emotional skills
  • Motor skills which adversely affects their ability to learn

Available Services:

  • Related services such as Speech, Occupational, Physical Therapy and Counseling
  • SEIT (Special education Itinerant Teacher) emphasis is placed on a child’s growth and development within the child’s regular environment.
  • Related Services in combination with (SEIT)
  • Special Class in an integrated setting
  • Special Class comprised of students with disabilities based on similarity of needs