Students with disabilities entering kindergarten

Turning 5

Turning 5 is a term that has been used to refer to preschool students who will turn 5 by December 31st of the following school year. For example, a child born in 2007 will be considered a Turning 5 student from August 31, 2011 until August 31, 2012.

All students who are in this age category and are currently recommended for special education services must be reevaluated to determine which special education services may be necessary as the student becomes school-age, and if eligible, develop an appropriate school-age Individualized Education Program (IEP).

All cases (initial referrals and reevaluations) are assigned to schools or a Committee on Special Education (CSE) centrally by the Office of School Support (OSS) and Division of Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners.

IEP

The IEP for students entering kindergarten is similar to that of other students. It contains the same information, plus one additional section: the Child Outcome Summary form.

Note: The Child Outcome Summary form is only required for reevaluation cases. It is not required for Initial cases.

SESIS

All referrals (initials and reevaluations) for students entering kindergarten are entered in CAP. Once the case is opened in CAP, the data is migrated to SESIS on a weekly basis. Once the data is migrated, the student will have an open process and the case must be completed in SESIS.

The chairperson or designee of the assigned CSE is responsible for determining which school will be responsible for the evaluation, reevaluation, and placement process for the upcoming school year.

Timeline requirements

The compliance timeline requirements for Turning 5 students are as follows:

If the CSE receives the referral…	The IEP must be developed by…	Appropriate services must be offered by…
Before March 1	June 1	June 15
After March 1, but before April 1	July 1	July 15
After April 1, but before May 10	August 1	August 15
May 11 or later	Initial referral: Within 60 calendar days from parental consent for evaluation Reevaluation: 45 school days from the referral date	Initial referral: Within 60 school days from parental consent for evaluation Reevaluation: Within 60 school days from the referral date

Parental notification

For both initial cases as well as for preschool students who are already receiving special education services during the 2011/2012 school year, the Notice of Initial Referral is sent to the parent or guardian by the New York City Department of Education (DOE).

SH7534

Last revised: May 15, 2012