PROGRESS Center

Transition from Early Intervention to Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) Programs

What is CPSE?

The Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) is a group of individuals that determines if a child is eligible for the Preschool Education Program.

 Beginning the Transition Process

  • Start early: Transition planning begins around your child’s second birthday or your first  Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The Early Intervention Official (EIO) or your service coordinator introduces the idea, reviews developmental progress, and discusses possible next steps — including referral to CPSE.
     
  • Notification to CPSE: With your consent, the EIO must notify your school district’s CPSE of your child’s potential eligibility at least 120 days before the child is first eligible for preschool special education services (usually around age three).
     
  • Transition Conference: With parental consent, a transition conference must be held at least 90 days before eligibility, involving the EIO, the CPSE chair (or designee), service coordinator, and you. If you decline, written information must be provided instead.

 Referral & Evaluation

  • Your referral options: The referral to CPSE may be made by you, your service coordinator, or other professionals. It must be in writing, describing developmental concerns and requesting an evaluation.
     
  • After referral: The CPSE acknowledges receipt, provides a procedural safeguards notice, a consent form for evaluation, and a list of approved evaluators.
     
  • Evaluation process: Once you select an evaluator and give consent (C‑1P form), a multidisciplinary evaluation is conducted. It includes physical exam, psychological evaluation, social history, parent interview, observation, and other assessments.

Timeline: How Long It Takes

  • By law:
    • The CPSE must complete the eligibility determination within 30 school days of receiving your written consent.
    • If eligible, your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) must be implemented within 30 school days of the CPSE recommendation.

Total: approximately 60 school days from consent to IEP services starting.

After Evaluation

  • CPSE meeting: The committee reviews evaluation results and determines eligibility. If eligible, an IEP is developed specifying services (e.g., speech therapy, Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT), or class placement) including frequency, duration, and location.
     
  • Choices for families:
    • You may choose to transition to preschool services under the IEP.
    • OR choose to remain in EI until your child ages out (end of eligibility).
       
  • If not eligible: EI services end on the day before your child’s third birthday. A transition plan for other supports (e.g., daycare, Head Start) will be developed to support the family.
     
  • If eligible: Families will be provided with a list of schools with placements that have openings for your child. Parents will tour the school and select a placement for their child.

Advocating for Yourself (and Your Child)

  • Be proactive & organized:
    • Keep a file with all documentation: IFSPs, evaluation reports, progress notes. Sharing recent records with CPSE helps the evaluation team.
       
  • Participate fully:6
    • Attend all meetings (IFSP, transition conference, CPSE) and ask questions to understand differences between EI and preschool special education, eligibility criteria, and available services.
       
  • Know your rights:
    • You’re entitled to procedural safeguards, including independent evaluations, mediation, or impartial hearings if there's a disagreement or delay.
       
  • Use peer/online support:
    • Many parents find solace and advice from support groups and community forums. As one parent shared about county EI, “Getting new services… it took about two months total but now we have approved services…”
  • Communicate preferences: