The Committee on Preschool Special Education
The Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) is responsible for children with disabilities ages 3-5. Peru’s CPSE works in partnership with the Clinton County Health Department If you have a preschool child and you have noticed that your child is not developing skills such as walking, talking or playing like other young children you may make a referral to the CPSE. The CPSE can conduct an individual evaluation of your child, review the evaluation and if necessary set up services to provide for your child. Possible services can include Special Education Itinerant Teacher, Speech Therapy, Counseling, Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy.
If you are concerned about your child’s development the first step is to make a referral by calling the CPSE Chairperson. You will be asked to provide basic demographic information about your child as well to share the concerns you have about your child’s development. After you have discussed your concerns, the Office of Student Services will send you a packet of information explaining your parental rights and asking for your consent for an evaluation. It is necessary for you to send the consent sheet back to the Office of Student Services in order for the evaluation to proceed. The Office of Student Services will then contact the agency chosen to complete the evaluation. The agency will contact parents directly to set up a time and place for the evaluation.
Once completed, a CPSE meeting will be set up to discuss the results. Parents are notified by mail as to the date and time of the meeting. Most preschool services are home based. The home is considered the least restrictive environment (LRE) for a preschool child. Special Education Itinerant Teachers, Speech Therapists, Counselors, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists will work with parents to arrange time and place for services. If a child has more severe delays a preschool classroom placement may be considered. The preschool classroom placements are offered at various locations in Clinton County.
Committee on Special Education
Special Education services are available for children, ages 3-21, identified as a student with a disability either by the Peru Central School District Board of Education or as a transfer student identified by another school district. The disability is educational in nature and significantly impairs the ability for the student to progress successfully in the general education curriculum. Identification and services for school age students goes through the Committee on Special Education (CSE). The CSE is a team of individuals with expertise in their services area and/or have knowledge of the student. The CSE will meet on students to determine services that assure a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.
Tracking Kids with Disabilities
The District is responsible for maintaining a roster of all disabled children from birth through age 21. The roster ensures that appropriate services are provided, as well as assisting with staffing and funding for needed programs.
Parents residing in the Peru District who suspect their child may have a disability but is not currently identified as having a disability or receiving services, should contact Shannon M. Rabideau, Director of Student Services.
