Special Education Services

It is our philosophy to provide programs for students with complex needs in the district rather than through outplacement. We provide staff with specialized expertise and flex our programs as students move through the district. We believe in maximizing the opportunities for students to remain in the regular classroom through the use of collaborative teaching and paraprofessional support. Long-range planning and clear communication are the anchors of all programming.

Circle of Friends - This program provides services to children, ages 3-5, with disabilities or developmental delays and their typically developing peers. Children attend 2, 4, or 4.5 days depending on their educational needs. Sessions are 2.5 hours and Circle is housed at Berry School.

ABA Program for Autism or Pervasive Developmental Disabilities - Children in grades K-3 who have a diagnosis of autism or PDD instruction using discrete trial and other specialized formats are integrated into regular education for varying amounts of time. This program is housed at Berry School.

Learning Centers - This term is applied to K-8 programs that serve students with more complex or severe disabilities. Children with neurological, physical or sensory needs are served through this program. It is therapy-based, integrating speech, language, occupational and physical therapy. All children spend varying amounts of the day with typically developing peers in regular classrooms. The program is data based, meaning that each child’s curriculum is individualized.

Resource Programs - This program flexes according to student needs at the K-5 level. These are semi-self contained environments where the students receive most of their academic instruction from a special education teacher in either a designated special education or regular classroom.

Collaborative Classes - In this model, students receive special education within the classroom in a co-teaching or collaborative arrangement with the regular education teacher. This model is employed in grades 4-12. It maximizes the student’s involvement in the regular education classroom and curriculum.

Special Education Courses - This is one strategy used at the high school, which follows the format of the typical day. Vocational skills, writing labs, and structured study are examples of this tactic.

STEP: Steps Toward Educational Progress - This is a high school program for students with serious emotional disturbance. Five-class periods are provided each day. Additionally, a “transitions” course prepares students for post secondary education or employment. Therapeutic support is provided by a social worker.