Transitioning from CPSE to CSE

DD will be 5 in May and is scheduled to go to CSE. We have her CPSE meeting 3/18 to determine summer services and the recommendation to CSE. The people from my district who went to her preschool to observe her called me yesterday and asked to meet with me prior to her CSE meeting to go over what kinds of programs will be available for her next year. This is scheduled for 3/20. I did have a discussion with one of them about DD possibly not being ready for K by September, and what would be the possibility of her remaining in preschool for an additional year. So she felt that it might be helpful to meet with her/them before the CSE meeting so that I have more information prior to the actual meeting. She said nothing will be in writing, nothing decided upon.

Opinions?

Should I go around to other districts first to see what they have available? Should I wait to do this until after our meeting on the 20th?

Re: Transitioning from CPSE to CSE

I am a bit confused by the dates. If your CPSE/CSE meeting is on the 18th, but you don't meet with those that observed your daughter until two days later, not sure how that is going to work ?

If those dates are correct, they may just hold the CPSE part of the meeting, to determine summer services, and then table the CSE meeting since it appears your district may not have a class setting they deem appropriate ? Not sure why they wouldn't tell you about the school's programs over the phone.

Always do your own research prior to a meeting. Definitely meet with them beforehand, but don't rely on their information. I am not sure they can agree to retain her in preschool...they will probably push for a different scenario.

I am sending you a FM.

Re: Transitioning from CPSE to CSE

You will be having 2 meetings. One is the CPSE in MArch to determine summer services and to determine if she will be referred to the CSE. Not all preschoolers receiving services continue to CSE some are not eligible to be be classified. If the student is eligible to fit a classification, The SD will then do an observation and schedule a CSE meeting to determine Kindergarten placement, related services, transportation, accomodations and classification. I would definitely try and have conversation with them ahead of time to see what they are thinking regarding placement. Is BOCES or an out of district on the table? I would definitely push to see some out of district placements. Try and think long term. Which school will have the most to offer her and all stages of her schooling. Will she need an excellent life skills class in Middle School and High School? Look for an established program vs. a newly started program. Which schools have more students that would be considered her peers (similar functioning levels). You'd want her to have true friendships and lots in common with other students. Also look for schools with staff experienced in working with students that have a similar functioning level as your DD or have worked with student with a similar diagnosis. Does she need an excellent related service staff with access to varied equipment and adaptive technology? There is a lot for you to consider when chooseing the right school. I've seen some terrible placements of Kindergarten students and it can take some time to correct a bad placement.