Highlights of the Commissioner’s Advisory Panel
Accomplishments for 2006-07
The Commissioner’s Advisory Panel (CAP) for Special
Education Services was established pursuant to P.L. 94-142, Education of the
Handicapped Act. Section 4403(6) of Education Law, section 612 of the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and section 300.169 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) prescribe its responsibilities. CAP provides recommendations
to the Commissioner of Education and Office of Vocational and Educational Services
for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) with respect to special education
and related services for children with disabilities in New York State. The
Commissioner shares appropriate recommendations with the Governor and Legislature.
During the 2006-07 school year, CAP:
- reviewed and provided comment on the development and implementation of
the State Performance Plan under Part B of IDEA as required by the U. S.
Department of Education (USDOE), Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
- reviewed and provided comment on the Annual Performance Review (APR)
as submitted to USDOE.
- reviewed and provided comment on proposed changes to Part 200 of the
Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.
- were informed and provided comments on the proposed legislation to implement
IDEA.
- were informed and commented on changes to Part 300 of the Federal Regulations.
- were informed and provided comment on the status of the State’s
Special Education Teacher Certification structure and the federally required
Highly Qualified Teacher Plan.
- were informed on the content and objectives of the State Personnel Development
Grant.
- reviewed and commented on impartial hearing data and changes to the impartial
hearing reporting system.
- reviewed and were provided information on the National Instructional
Materials Accessibility Center (NIMAC).received information on the 2007-08
State Budget bills and other items, such as the Preschool Task Force and
Evaluation of Teacher Preparation Programs, in the Governor’s budget
In addition, three standing subcommittees focused discussion
and recommendations relating to (1) preschool special education, (2) transition
of students with disabilities from one system to another, and (3) personnel
development.