If your school-age child is having difficulties in school, first talk to his or her teacher. There are many supports for students within regular education such as psychological services, speech and language improvement services, curriculum and instructional modifications, supplemental reading instruction and Response to Intervention (RtI). If concerns persist, you, or your child's teacher can refer your child to the Instructional Services Team (IST). All Penfield elementary schools, the middle school, and the high school have Instructional Services Teams that work together with parents to determine specific services and/or strategies that will support each student's success in school. If you and/or the IST suspect that your child may have a disability that significantly impacts educational performance and requires special education intervention, a referral can be made to the Committee on Special Education (CSE). The CSE is appointed by the Board of Education and is responsible for making recommendations that will meet the educational needs of each student with a disability.

Members of the committee include:

• Parent(s) of the student
• Regular education teacher of the student whenever the student is or may be participating in the regular education environment
• Special education teacher of the student, or if appropriate, special education provider of the student
• School district representative who is qualified to provide or supervise special education and is knowledgeable about the general curriculum and the availability of resources of the school district (This person may also be the special education teacher/provider or school psychologist.)
• An individual who understands and can talk about the evaluation results and how these results affect instruction (This person may also be the special education teacher/provider, regular education teacher, school psychologist, school district representative or someone that the school district determines has knowledge or special expertise regarding the student.)
• School Psychologist
• School Physician (upon request)
• Parent member (upon request)
• Other people that have knowledge or special expertise regarding the student, including related services personnel as appropriate (as requested by the parent or school district)
• The student, if appropriate

The Penfield Central School District has a District CSE and Subcommittee CSEs. A District CSE recommends programs for new referrals and for students who are being considered for a more restrictive program. A Subcommittee CSE has a similar, but smaller make-up than the District CSE, and it reviews the programs of students who are currently receiving special education services.