Recent global events have brought tremendous challenges and incredible opportunities to re-envision the work around equity, diversity and inclusion to rethink our practice and to re-commit ourselves to one of the tenement goals in the Special Education office: to ensure that children with disabilities have the supports they need to learn in the least restrictive environment.
As Special Education leaders in the Bronx, we know that the data shows an historical overrepresentation of Black and Brown boys in Special Ed and that those boys are often placed in some of the most restrictive (small class) settings. What we realized upon returning to office in 2021, is that what was needed and what was missing was a critical dialogue: both internally as an office and with multiple stake holders at every stage of the Special Education process from referral to eligibility to placement.
In our panel discussion, we will share our experience as the leadership team serving at the Committee on Special Education (CSE 2 in the Bronx) and our journey on implement various micro-shifts. Our vision was to both respond to the impact of trauma and think about the overidentification for special education as a structural trauma that warrants further investigation. This shift in culture at the central office level, and trauma-informed thinking has been transformative not only for staff, but most importantly, it is evidenced in the data. The micro-shifts discussed have had a dramatic impact in increasing the number of preschool special education students in the least restrictive environment for the 2022-2023 school year.
The documents associated with this workshop are currently unavailable.
Tricia DeVito, CSE 2 Chairperson oversees the daily operation of the CSE. She is responsible for managing the referral, evaluation, identification, program and placement for students with disabilities who attend non-DOE schools. This includes students attending charter, private, state-approved day and residential programs as well as all preschoolers who reside in her catchment districts of the Bronx.
Alaina Salerno, LCSW, Clinician at CSE 2 is responsible for conducting assessments, providing consultation with families on matters relating to cognitive, social emotional and educational competencies of students receiving services. Alaina co-facilitates a trauma informed culture at CSE 2 and has a strong background in trauma informed care, crisis intervention and Juvenile Justice.
Michael Escribano, CSE 2 Committee on Preschool Special Education Administrator implements procedures to ensure that preschool students with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in preschool programs. Coordinates the assessment and placement of preschool students suspected of or determined to be disabled. Works with multi-disciplinary preschool and community-based assessment teams to ensure appropriate special education program recommendations for preschool children with disabilities in the Bronx.
If you have any general questions, or inquires please email the DEIB Conference Planning Committee at DEIBConference@schools.nyc.gov.