Section 4410(4) of the Education Law requires that the documentation of the evaluation include all assessment reports and a summary report of the findings of the evaluation on a form prescribed by the Commissioner and a detailed statement of the preschool child's individual needs. The evaluator shall not include on the summary evaluation report recommendations about the type, frequency and duration of special education services or programs or address the manner in which the special services or programs can be provided in the least restrictive environment. In addition, the evaluation finding must not refer to any specific provider of special services or programs. The law clarifies that the CPSE is responsible for making these recommendations when developing, reviewing and/or revising the individualized education program (IEP) for a preschool child with a disability.
Congress intended to strengthen the role of parents and ensure that families have meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children at school and at home. In accordance with IDEA, the parent of the child suspected to be a preschool child with a disability is now a member of the interdisciplinary individualized education program (IEP) team. In New York State, this team is the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE). In their role as CPSE members, parents have all the rights and responsibilities of other CPSE members. The parent(s) of the child who is referred to the CPSE must receive all information and written materials, which are provided to the members of the CPSE prior to and throughout the CPSE process of reviewing the child.
The individual evaluation must be conducted in accordance with Section 200.4(b) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. The approved evaluators should review other assessments or evaluations to determine if such information fulfills the requirements of the Regulations. Evaluators should be cognizant of these requirements so that appropriate evaluation information is collected and available to the CPSE.