The Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) department is responsible for the evaluation, placement, and service provision of and for students with disabilities as defined by the Part 200 of the Commissioner’s Regulations and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). This act mandates a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment.
The Committee on Preschool Special Education, English as a Second Language services, tutoring services, health-related services, social worker services, psychological services, speech and language services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and registration are governed and coordinated through the PPS Office.
Pupil Personnel Services Office
The Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Office oversees several programs and services offered within the school district in grades Kindergarten through grade 12.
The Committee on Preschool Special Education, the Committee on Special Education, English as a Second Language services, tutoring services, health-related services, social worker services, psychological services, speech and language services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, foster care, McKinney Vento, and residency are all governed and coordinated through the PPS Office.
Special Education
Special Education means specially designed individualized or group instruction or special services or programs provided at no cost to the parent, to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. Special education programs and services are designed to assure that children with disabilities receive appropriate and equal opportunities for educational growth.
The Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) department is responsible for the evaluation, placement, and service provision of and for students with disabilities as defined by the Part 200 of the Commissioner’s Regulations and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). This act mandates a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. Special Education services are available through the Committee on Preschool Special Education for preschool-age students (ages 3-5) and the Committee on Special Education for school-age students (ages 5-21) as prescribed under the Commissioner’s Regulations Section 200.6.
The function of these committees is to determine if handicapping conditions exist, and to make recommendations to the Goshen Central Schools Board of Education regarding special education placement and/or related services. All information is kept confidential and is accessible only with parental permission.
Committee on Preschool Special Education
The Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) is designed to serve youngsters between 3-5 years of age. The committee is comprised of a special education administrator, a parent of a handicapped child, the evaluator of the child, and an Orange County representative.
The function of the committee is to determine if handicapping conditions exist, and to make recommendations to the Goshen Central Schools Board of Education regarding special education placement and/or related services. All information is kept confidential and is accessible only with parental permission.
NYS Law Chapter 408
Chapter 408 of New York State Education Law requires that each teacher and service provider
who is responsible for the implementation of a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), be
provided with a hard or electronic copy of their students’ IEPs.
Who should have a copy of a student’s IEP?
- Building Administrator(s)
- Special Education Teacher(s)
- General Education Teachers
- Special Area Teachers (i.e. – art, music, physical education)
- Speech-Language Therapists
- Building Psychologists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Related Service Providers
Who should be informed of their responsibilities regarding the IEP, but do not receive a copy?
- Teacher Aides
- Other School Aides/Monitors
- Bus Drivers
- Bus Attendants
Each student with an IEP has a case manager who has knowledge of the student’s disability and
education program and is responsible for informing school personnel of their IEP
implementation responsibilities. The case managers inform the general education teacher,
paraprofessional (i.e., teaching assistant or teacher aide), and other provider and support staff
persons of their responsibility to implement the recommendations on a student’s IEP.
Departments & Services Links
Pupil Personnel Services contact
Heather Hendershot, Ed.D.
Director of Pupil Personnel Services
Homeless Liaison
Foster Care Liaison
(845) 615-6450
heather.hendershot@gcsny.org
Alyssa Marino
Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services
(845) 615-6450
alyssa.marino@gcsny.org
Other district resources
- Section 504 Information
- K – 5 Guidance Plan
- Comprehensive Guidance Plan
- CJ Hooker Middle School Guidance Department
- Goshen High School Guidance Department
Pupil Personnel links
- New York State Education Department Office of Special Education
- ACCES-Adult Career and Continuing Education
- Annual Review Resources
- Council for Exceptional Children
- Orange-Ulster BOCES – Special and Alternative Education
- OSERS: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
- Parent to Parent of New York State
- Parent’s Guide to Special Education in English
- Parent’s Guide to Special Education in Spanish
- Part B- Procedural Safeguard Notice in English
- Part B- Procedural Safeguard Notice in Spanish
- Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
- Westchester Institute for Human Development
- McKinney-Vento Homeless Act