April 22, 2004
(Word (40 KB) Format)

To:	District Superintendents
	Presidents of Boards of Education
	Superintendents of Schools
	Superintendents of State-Operated and State-Supported Schools
	Organizations, Parents and Individuals Concerned with Special Education
	New York City Board of Education
	Principals of Public Schools
	Directors of Special Education
	Chairpersons of Committees on Special Education
	Chairpersons of Committees on Preschool Special Education
	Directors of Pupil Personnel Services
	Directors of Approved Preschool Programs and Preschool Educators
	Early Childhood Direction Centers
	Commissioner’s Advisory Panel for Special Education Services
	SETRC Project Directors and Training Specialists
	Head Start Directors
	Chief Elected Officials of the Counties
	Authorized Municipality Representatives
	County Fiscal Officers
From:	Erlinda Rejino
Subject:	Preschool Special Education Program Initial Application Procedures

The New York State Education Department has revised the November 1995 application for establishing new preschool special education programs under section 4410 of Education Law. The application process was simplified and consistent timelines were established for processing the application.

Use of the revised initial application is effective immediately. The application is to be used for initial approval of publicly funded preschool special education programs pursuant to sections 200.7, 200.16 and 200.20 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. This includes applications for multidisciplinary evaluation programs, special education itinerant services, special class in an integrated setting programs and/or special class program.

The initial application is available at: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/preschool/preschoolapp/intialapp.htm and includes the Initial Application, required documentation, and instructions for applying for the approval of new preschool special education programs.

Please note that applications for approval of any new programs or expanded programs in settings including only preschool students with disabilities will be considered only when there is a demonstrated need for the expansion of such services in that particular region of the State.

Questions concerning the application process should be directed to the appropriate Special Education Quality Assurance Regional Office. Refer to the initial application for Regional Office contact information.