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Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID)
Special Education and Vocational Rehabilitation Services

December 2005

TO:	District Superintendents
	Superintendent of Schools
	Superintendents of State-Operated and State-Supported Schools
	Executive Directors of Approved Private Schools
	Superintendents of Special Act School Districts
	Directors of Preschool Programs
	Organizations, Parents and Individuals Concerned with Special Education
	Commissioner's Advisory Panel for Special Education Services
	SETRC Project Directors and Professional Development Specialists
	Regional School Support Centers
	Other State Agencies
FROM:	James P. DeLorenzo
SUBJECT:	Policy and Guidelines on the Use of Time Out Rooms

           This is to remind school districts, boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES), approved private preschool and school age programs, State operated schools, State supported schools, Special Act School Districts and other State agencies that operate educational programs that the Department’s 1994 Policy and Guidelines on the Use of Time Out Rooms remains in effect.  A copy of this policy may be found at: http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/timeout.pdf 

Each school which uses a time out room as part of its behavior management approach must ensure that the school’s policy and procedures on the use of the time out room are developed and implemented consistent with State policy, including the physical and monitoring requirements, parental rights and individualized education program (IEP) requirements for students with disabilities.

            To ensure dissemination to appropriate individuals within a school district, I ask Superintendents to please share this memorandum with other individuals such as Building Principals, Directors of Special Education, School Psychologists, Committee on Special Education (CSE) and Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) Chairpersons, Guidance Counselors and Directors of Pupil Personnel.  If you have any questions regarding the policy and guidelines, contact the Special Education Policy and Partnerships Unit at 518-473-2878 or the Special Education Quality Assurance Office for your region of the State: