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Special Education

Office of Special Education Advisory Panels

Commissioner's Advisory Panel for Special Education Services (CAP)

States are required by Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to have an advisory panel for special education. The Commissioner’s Advisory Panel for Special Education Services (or “CAP”) serves in this capacity for New York State. CAP's responsibilities are prescribed by New York State Education Lawsection 4403(6) in accordance with section 612 of IDEA and include:

  • advising the Governor, Legislature, and Commissioner of Education on unmet needs within the State regarding the education of children with disabilities;
  • commenting on any proposed rules or regulations;
  • advising the 鶹 (鶹) about the development and implementation of policies relating to coordination of services; and
  • advising 鶹 about the development and implementation of the State Performance Plan and the Annual Performance Report, which is our accountability plan to the federal government.

Current Membership

Members are appointed for a three-year term by the Commissioner of Education to represent one of the following constituencies:

  • Individuals with disabilities
  • Parents or guardians of children with disabilities
  • Teachers of students with disabilities
  • State and local education officials
  • Representatives of institutions of higher education that prepare special education and related services personnel
  • Administrators of programs for children with disabilities
  • Representatives of other State agencies involved in the financing or delivery of related services to children with disabilities
  • Representatives of private schools and public charter schools
  • At least one representative of a vocational, community or business organization concerned with the provision of transition services to children with disabilities
  • Representatives from the State juvenile and adult corrections agencies
  • Representative from the State Welfare agency responsible for foster care
  • Representative from an Education agency responsible for carrying out activities under subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.).

CAP meets at least three times each year. CAP members serve without compensation but their reasonable and necessary expenses for attending meetings and performing duties are reimbursed.

Applications for CAP membership are accepted on an ongoing basis and will be kept on file for any available openings.

Individuals interested in becoming a CAP member should complete and submit the CAP Member Application form per the instructions in the form.

If you would like to express your concerns to the Panel, email us. For more information, please call 518-473-2878.

File Downloads: 
File CAP New Member Application