Highlights of the Commissioner’s Advisory Panel Accomplishments
2008-09
(As submitted annually to the Commissioner)
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 the 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 2008-09 school year, CAP received information and provided comment on the following:
- New York State’s (NYS) proposed individualized education program (IEP), meeting notice and prior notice forms;
- IEP diplomas;
- United States Department of Education (USDOE) verification visit;
- early intervention (EI) to preschool transition;
- Annual Performance Report (APR) and State Performance Plan (SPP);
- State Education Department (SED) data collection;
- cross-system students (individuals with dual diagnoses);
- students with Autism Spectrum Disorders;
- changes to federal legislation and regulations;
- proposed amendments to NYS regulations;
- NYS budget impact on education;
- secondary transition and Model Transition Projects;
- teacher certification changes; and
- impartial hearing data and recommendations for decreasing the number of hearings.