Table of Contents - Process to Practice: A Quick Reference Guide for Committee on Special Education (CSE) Chairpersons | VESID-Special Education Home Page

April 2003

Dear Committee on Special Education (CSE) Chairpersons:

This document, "Process to Practice: A Quick Reference Guide for CSE Chairpersons", is designed to assist you in your day-to-day duties working with Committees on Special Education. It provides assistance for administrative functions as well as preparing for and conducting Committee meetings and providing follow up after meetings. This guide has been developed in recognition that the position of CSE Chairperson is increasingly complex. Your work entails not only conducting meetings where far-reaching decisions regarding the education of students with disabilities in your district are made, but also working with families, other personnel in your district, and private schools and providers; providing or arranging for inservice for the Committee; and completing various forms and documentation regarding students with disabilities. This document is also intended to provide a framework for regional training programs through SETRC or through other organizations. The document is designed for a three ring binder so that it may be updated as needed or local information inserted (e.g., contact phone numbers, district policies). The focus is solely for school-age students with disabilities, therefore, there are no references for preschool students with disabilities.

While this document is intended as a reference guide for CSE Chairpersons, it is recognized that it is not comprehensive in all areas of CSE responsibility. It was designed in cooperation with practitioners to assist Chairpersons in understanding their fundamental responsibilities. Use of this material will assist your district in promoting the strategic goals of VESID:

• students receiving special education services will meet high educational standards
• students with disabilities will be integrated with their nondisabled peers throughout their educational experience
• individuals with disabilities will participate successfully in postsecondary education
• individuals with disabilities will be employed in integrated work settings
• all services for which VESID has responsibility will be cost effective, and

• all services for which VESID has responsibility will meet high standards and continuously improve.

This publication is available for other members of the CSE solely at the VESID website at http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/home.html . We encourage you to share copies as appropriate. Hard copies are not available. If you would like to be notified via e-mail when there are new VESID special education publications, you may register at http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/register.htm . Questions regarding this document may be directed to the Program Development and Support Services Unit at (518) 486-7462 or to your local Special Education Training and Resource Center (SETRC).

Sincerely,

Fredric DeMay

cc:    Lawrence C. Gloeckler
        Rebecca Cort
        District Superintendents
        Superintendents of Public Schools
        Directors of Special Education
        SETRC Professional Development Specialists and Project Directors
        RSSC Special Education Specialists and Executive Directors
        SEQA Regional Supervisors and Regional Associates