Special Education Quality Assurance (SEQA) Comprehensive Review

The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) initiated a Special Education Quality Assurance (SEQA) Comprehensive Review of State Performance Plan Indicator 4 A/B. The Yonkers Public Schools District is being reviewed in the 2009-2010 school year due to three or more consecutive years of data that indicate a significant discrepancy in the rates of long-term suspensions of students with disabilities under the State Performance Plan Indicator 4A and/or disproportionality in the rates of long-term suspensions of students with disabilities by race/ethnicity under the State Performance Plan Indicator 4B. The purpose of this review is to assess the district’s compliance with selected federal and State laws and regulations governing the education of students with disabilities.

The review will be conducted by VESID’s SEQA (SEQA) Office and will include representatives from the school district. The review will involve a review of school records of selected students with disabilities, classroom visitations and staff interviews. In addition, district manifestation determination team meetings may be observed. Further information may be obtained by contacting VESID’s SEQA Office in your region and/or by contacting your school district.