Student Services
SPECIAL EDUCATION
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A major concern for
parents as well as teachers is how to help children who experience difficulty
in school. Some new federal laws have directed
schools to focus more on helping all children learn by addressing problems
earlier, before the child is so far behind that a referral to special
education services is warranted. The district provides
various scientific researched based interventions for students struggling and
requiring additional support. Each
intervention is designed to address the specific needs of the student through
multiple tiers of increasingly specific interventions. Individual student performance related to
response to these interventions is assessed on an ongoing basis. If it is determined after a period of
assessment that the student is unable to respond effectively to the
interventions provided, the student may be referred for evaluation to
determine if they are eligible to receive special education or other direct
services. The information gained
through progress monitoring of the student’s response to the scientific
research-based interventions as well as the results of the comprehensive
evaluations completed are then reviewed by the Planning and Placement Team
(PPT) to determine eligibility. Eligibility
determination is guided by whether the student qualifies using federal and
state guidelines for eligibility.
Additionally, the Planning and Placement Team must consider whether
the student requires specialized instruction and/or whether accommodations
and modifications are needed. Students
who have been identified as qualifying for eligibility under the law and
require specialized instruction are provided supports and services within the
school environment so that they may access the general education curriculum
and succeed to the best of their ability.
An Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is drafted to address the student’s
individual needs and plan the type, amount and location of the supports and
services to be provided. The District provides a full range of supports and services within the school environment in accordance with federal and state guidelines. Whenever possible, these supports and services are provided within the least restrictive setting of the general education classroom. However, determination of location of services is determined by what is most beneficial to the individual student. Planning typically begins with focus upon the general education classroom with support for some students provided either partially or totally in a resource room type setting. Placement and services are the decision of the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) in accordance with state and federal regulations. |
For more information regarding the referral process or Special Education
Services please contact Donna Hartigan, Director of Student Services
For specific information regarding
your child’s IEP, progress towards
Goal attainment or accommodations;
please contact one of the following
Case Managers/Resource Teachers:
Barbara Coviello
– Preschool Case Manager/Teacher
Jim Shifrin
– Kindergarten and Grade 1 Case Manager/Resource Teacher
Rebecca
Radin – Grade 2 and Grade 3 Case
Manager/Resource Teacher
Justine Binkowski
– Grade 4 Case Manager/Resource Teacher
Roserie Rinaldi – Grade 5 and 6 Case Manager/Resource
Teacher
Karen
Martin - Grade 7 and Grade 8 Case Manager/Resource Teacher
Windy Thompson – Next Step Case
Manager/Resource Teacher
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS &
FAMILIES:
State of Connecticut
Special Education
Procedural
Guidelines
State
of Connecticut Parents Guide to Special Education
State
of Connecticut Student
Guide
Updated 2/12/08 scs