Welcome to the Special Programs Office

CONTACT

Erica Sinicropi Director of Special Programs esinicropi@pbcschools.org (315) 776-5728	Kelly Clarke Secretary kclarke@pbcschools.org (315) 776-5728 ext. 1100
Office fax: (315) 776-8813

THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

(From the Special Education in New York State for Children Ages 3-12: A Parents Guide, May 2002)

WHAT IS SPECIAL EDUCATION?

Special education means specially designed individualized or group instruction or special services or programs to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. Special education services and programs are provided at no cost to the parent.

WHAT ARE THE STEPS IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS?

Step 1: Initial Referral for Special Education Services
Students suspected of having a disability are referred to a multidisciplinary team called the Committee on Special Education or the Committee on Preschool Special Education.

Step 2: Individual Evaluation Process
The Committee arranges for an evaluation of the student's abilities and needs.

Step 3: Determining Eligibility for Special Education Services
Based on evaluation results, the Committee decides if the student is eligible to receive special education services and programs.

Step 4: Individualized Education Program (IEP)
If the child is eligible to receive special education services, the Committee develops and implements an appropriate IEP, based on evaluation results, to meet the needs of the student. Based on the IEP, the Committee must determine the students placement, ensuring that services are provided in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Placement must be as close as possible to the student's home, and unless the student's IEP requires some other arrangement, the student must be educated in the school he or she would have attended in non disabled.

Step 5: Annual Review/Reevaluation
The IEP is reviewed and, if needed, modified or revised by the Committee at least once a year (annual review). The student has a reevaluation at least once every three years, to review the student's need for special education programs and services and to revise the IEP, as appropriate. A reevaluation may also occur when conditions warrant or when requested by a parent or teacher. The process occurs sequentially with each step building on the previous one. In this way, comprehensive information about the student is obtained and considered. Timelines are in place so that delays are avoided. Parents are an integral part of this process, and your involvement is encouraged.

PORT BYRON CENTRAL SCHOOL'S RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION PLAN

Response to Intervention (RTI) is the practice of providing high quality instruction and interventions matched to student need. RTI is a proactive, multi-leveled, problem-solving approach that identifies general education students struggling in academic and behavioral areas early and provides them with systematically applied strategies and targeted instruction at varying levels of instruction. RTI encompasses frequent progress monitoring and applying student data for responsive decision-making.

RTI is a general education initiative to maximize the effectiveness of academic instruction and behavioral interventions for all students.

RTI is neither a direct avenue to special education nor is it a barrier.

Port Byron's Response to Intervention Plan

NYSED COMPLETES STANDARD REVIEW OF PORT BYRON CSD's SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) P-12: Office of Special Education has presented its final report after performing a Special Education Quality Assurance (SEQA) Special Education Programs and Services Focused Review in the Port Byron School District.

The purpose of this standard review was to assess the district's compliance with selected federal and state laws and regulations governing the education of students with disabilities.

The review was conducted in Sept. 2015 by the SEQA Central Regional Office and included representatives from the school district. The review process involved a review of school records of a representative sample of students with disabilities, classroom visitations and interviews. In addition, meetings of the committee on special education were observed.

Read the full report here.

Further information may be obtained by contacting the SEQA Central Regional Office at (315) 428-4556 or by contacting Port Byron School District at (315) 776-5728 ext. 1100.

More Information:

New York State Education Department
US Department of Education
LAUNCH CNY
ACCES Vocational Rehabilitation
OCR - Protecting Students with Disabilities

Downloads

Special Education in New York State for Children Ages 3–21
Procedural Safeguards Notice

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