Parent and Family Resources

Great Expectations newsletter

Great Expectations is a publication for parents and families of children and teens in the Capital Region BOCES Special Education program. New issues are published four times each school year.

The BOCES Special Education division recognizes the important role that parents and other family members play as their children and teen’s teachers and role models. So much of what happens at home helps support successful transitions, as well as the learning that happens in the classroom. It also sets the stage for a successful launch into the world away from home.

We hope that the information in this publication is useful and helps support the important job you do.

• Great Expectations June 2009: Assessment in Special Ed/a tribute to our grads

• Great Expectations March 2009: 21st Century learning/trends in technology

• Great Expectations September 2008: 21st Century learning and Special Ed.

• Great Expectations June 2008: Easy, breezy summer literacy; transitions and awards.

• Great Expectations March 2008: Volunteerism and Special Ed: Helping Hands/Healthy Kids.

• Great Expectations November 2007: State testing and special education.

• Great Expectations September 2007: Welcome back-to-school/easing transition time.

Bright Futures newsletter

Bright Futures is a publication of the Capital Region BOCES Communications Service that highlights programs and news related to the BOCES Special Education division, as well as BOCES Career and Technical Education, the Northeastern Regional Information Center (NERIC) and BOCES School Support Services.

• 2008-09 Issue 1 featuring Model Transition Program collaboration with BOCES Special Ed.

• 2008-09 Issue 2 featuring the new BOCES Special Education Work Study Collaborative.

• 2008-09 Issue 2 featuring a look at the "greening" of BOCES Special Ed.

• 2007-08 Issue 1 featuring Special Education for the 21st Century and new Special Ed Web.

• 2007-08 Issue 2 featuring 21st Century Literacy (including Wilson Reading) in special education.

• 2007-08 Issue 3 featuring Sorenson video technology in Deaf and Hard of Hearing classrooms.

• 2007-08 Issue 4 featuring the Career Center at Steinmetz.

• 2007-08 Graduation Issue

• 2006-07 Issue 1 featuring Peer Network Program for students with Asperger Syndrome/autism.

• 2006-07 Issue 2 featuring College of St. Rose/College-based Transition Program.

• 2006-07 Issue 3 featuring the Diagnostic Developmental Program (DDP) for primary age children.

• 2006-07 Issue 4 featuring Maywood Career Exploration Program.

• 2006-07 Issue 5 featuring Saxon Math for special education students.

• 2006-07 Issue 6 featuring Pathways program for children and teens with mental health issues.

• 2006-07 Graduation Issue

Parent permission forms

Following are some of the forms you'll need throughout your child/teen's special education years:

• Parent  permission for field trips

• Parent permission for student photography (publication, Web and media use)

Committees on Special Education (CSE)

School district committees on special education (CSE) help determine eligibility and appropriate services, provided by the BOCES Special Education Division as well as other sources. If you have questions or concerns about your child/teen's development or special educational needs, the CSE staff in your home school district can provide many of the answers you need. 

New York State Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID)

 The mission of VESID is to promote educational equity and excellence for students with disabilities while ensuring that they receive the rights and protection to which they are entitled; assure appropriate continuity between the child and adult services systems; and provide the highest quality vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to all eligible persons as quickly as those services are required to enable them to work and live independent, self-directed lives.