SPECIAL EDUCATION OVERVIEW

PELHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Mrs. Rosemary MatthewsAssistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services

&

Dr. Lauren RibeiroSpecial Education Elementary Supervisor

CPSE/CSE Chairperson

October 3, 2012

Topics for Tonight Defining acronyms: What do they all

mean? The CPSE and CSE process: How to get

help for your child The difference between an IEP and a Section 504 Accommodation Plan An overview of the special education

programs and related services offered in the district

Addressing common parent questions

Common Acronyms

When you suspect your child may have a disability…

First Step- Talk with your child’s classroom teacher, principal, pediatrician to get their perspective

If a referral to special education is warranted…-Birth to 3 years old- Early Intervention (Westchester County Dept of Health)

-3-5 years old- CPSE- (County and Pelham)

-5 years-old and above- CSE or Section 504

CPSE/CSE referral process Student is registered/ enrolled in Pelham

UFSD Student is referred to the CSE or CPSE PPS office sends home a referral packet Parent signs consent for evaluation Student undergoes a comprehensive set of

evaluations Committee meets to review evaluations,

discuss student needs, and make recommendations as to eligibility for services

CPSE Eligibility Requirements

Standardized Testing shows a delay in development-33% delay in one area or

-25% delay across two areas (12 month delay, 2 Standard Deviations)

This delay has an educational impact in preschool classroom.

Preschooler with a Disability

CPSE Continuum of Services

• Related Services Only• SEIT Only• Related Services and SEIT• Half-Day Class• Full-Day Class

CSE Eligibility Requirements

Must meet criteria for 1 of 13 disability categories under IDEA Emotional Disability Learning Disability Speech/Language Impairment Other Health Impaired Autism Intellectual Disability Multiple Disabilities Visual Impairment Deafness Deaf-Blindness Traumatic Brain Injury Orthopedic Impairment Hearing Impairment

RTI and Learning Disabilities

Approximately 10% of students in the country receive special education services. HALF of the special education population nationally is identified as Learning Disabled (LD) , with the percentage of school-age students classified as LD having more than doubled since 1980.

(Vaughn & Fuchs, 2003) Effective July 1, 2012, all school districts in NYS

must show documented evidence that a student has gone through the RTI process to determine if a student in grades K-4 is a student with a learning disability in the area of reading.

Section 504 Accommodation Plan

- The "504" refers to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act which specifies that no one with a disability can be excluded from participating in federally funded programs or activities, including elementary, secondary or postsecondary schooling.

- “Disability” in this context refers to a "physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities." This can include physical impairments; neurological conditions (ADHD); chronic medical conditions like asthma, allergies and diabetes; and learning problems.

Section 504 Plans vs. IEP A Section 504 Accommodation Plan includes the

program modifications and testing accommodations that will be needed for these students to have an opportunity perform at the same level as their peers.

An IEP is an individualized plan that describes exactly what special education services a student will receive and why. It will include a student’s classification, special education program, related services, program modifications, testing accommodations, academic and behavioral goals, and more.

OVERVIEW OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

PROGRAMS & RELATED SERVICES

Pelham Public Schools

Guiding Principles The District will provide pre-referral strategies and supports,

including modification and alternative instructional approaches for all students in order to address the student’s needs prior to referral to the Committee on Special Education (CSE).

  Pupil Personnel staff will provide strategies and interventions to

support students in the general education learning environment through collaboration, staff development, and consultation.

  The District will provide special education services that meet

the individual needs of the child, are developmentally appropriate, and strength based.

  Services are planned in collaboration with all child serving

systems involved with the child.  

Guiding Principles The child’s family is the primary support system for the

child and participates in all stages of decision making and planning .

  Student data will be used to inform and improve instruction.

Related services provided to special education students will be educationally relevant, evidence-based, and will support the student’s learning while provided in a manner least disruptive to the student’s overall progress in his program

Administrators, general education teachers, special education teachers, related service providers, and paraprofessional staff are supported in developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to design learning environments and instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners, including students with disabilities.

 

Guiding Principles

The District will encourage involvement and support for parents of students with disabilities.

  The District will facilitate the transition from high school

to post secondary education programs or to employment.  The District will continue to assess the efficacy of our

district special education program in meeting the needs of the students.

  The District will assess and implement innovative options

for serving student with disabilities, which reflect current research on effective practices

Special Clas

s

Resource Room

Integrated Co-Taught Classes

& Consultant Teacher

Related Services

Hierarchy of Programs and Services in Pelham

HutchinsonSchool

Two Special Classes

K-23-5

(Full or Part-Day)

Resource RoomResource Rm/CTConsult Teacher

AllRelated Services

IntegratedCo-Taught

Classes

ProspectHill

ACELearning Program

3-5

Resource RoomResource Room/CT

Consult Teacher

AllRelated Services

Colonial School

ACELearning Program

K-2

Resource RoomResource Room/CT

Consult TeacherAll

Related Services

Siwanoy School

Resource RoomResource Room/CT

Consult TeacherAll

Related Services

Pelham Middle School

Foundations of Learning Program Special Classes Integrated Co-Taught Classes Resource Room Consultant Teacher (Direct and Indirect) All Related Services Supplementary Services

Pelham Memorial High School

TSP “Therapeutic Support Program” (2006)

Foundations of Learning (2008) Special Classes Integrated Co-Taught Classes Resource Room Consultant Teacher (Direct and Indirect) Related Services Supplementary Services

Our Current Goals• Enhance general education with evidenced-

based practices to provide appropriate services (RtI)

• Build school district capacity to provide local alternatives to out of district more restrictive placements

• Continue training in methodologies to increase success for ALL students

• Increase parent trust to support notion – milder issues are better served in general education

Common Parent Concerns… Will the district refrain from classifying students

as a result of challenging economic times?

Will students be declassified because of economic difficulties and rising costs?

Can services be increased during the school year if needed?

How do I request a change in my child’s services?

Your turn! Questions??

Contact Information

PPS Office- (914) 738-3434, ext 3 Sally Tedesco and Felice Cipriano

Rosemary- rmatthews@pelhamschools.orgLauren- lribeiro@pelhamschools.orgRegina Ricci- PMHS-

rricci@pelhamschools.org

SEPTA- www.pelhamsepta.org