The ABCs of Student Support Services What Does

The ABCs of Student Support Services What Does it All Mean? Nora Mazzone Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony Director of Special Education Pre-K-12 Jennifer Monaco Director of Special Education Pre-K-12

What is Student Support Services? • Serve as a resource Pre-K to 12 students and families who are currently classified as having a disability as well as those who simply have concerns and questions about their child’s learning profile. – “Everything except general ed!” • • • School Psychologists Guidance Councilors Social Workers Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy • Speech and Language Pathologists • 504 Committees • IST Committees • Special Educators • SSS team works closely with building administrators and other building level supports (e. g. Reading teacher, social worker, etc. )

Student Support Services Formative Assessment – Test Your Special Education Knowledge!!!

RTI: Response to Intervention RTI is an initiative designed to ensure that all students benefit from standards-based curriculum, high quality instruction, appropriate interventions and close monitoring of progress. RTI is a multi-tiered, problem solving approach that identifies students at risk in academic and behavioral areas and provides them with systematic, research-based strategies at increasing levels of intensity and frequency. RTI is a pre-cursor to Special Education and includes building level screenings and AIS services.

RTI Model

Building Level Team-Meetings • Case Conferences/Team Meetings • IST • 504 Goal in All Cases: Identify the students academic, social, and emotional needs and strengths and identify appropriate interventions.

Referral to Special Education A referral is made to the CSE when a student has maximized the building level supports and he/she is not making progress. A referral can be made by the IST, 504, or parent. Parents are considered part of the team and are encouraged to full participate, ask questions and share their thoughts.

Special Education Timeline Initial Referral to Special Education (Parent or School Based) PWN Consent Sent Home to Parents Evaluation CSE Meeting (Within 60 days of receipt of signed consent)

The Evaluation Process Evaluation by a multidisciplinary team: Ø Social history Ø Psychological Ø Educational Ø Classroom evaluation observation Ø Speech, OT, and PT as appropriate Ø Teacher reports Ø Physical FBA/ BIP

The CSE Meeting • Charged with determining eligibility for Special Education • Parents are an integral member of the committee • At the CSE meeting, evaluations will be reviewed, eligibility is determined an IEP is created, if the students meets criteria for special education. Typical CSE Agenda • Reason for Referral • Evaluation Results • Present Levels of Performance (PLP) • Eligibility Determination • Drafting of IEP or Response Plan

Student Support Services Formative Assessment – Test Your Special Education Knowledge!!!

The Parent Member • A trained volunteer charged with ensuring the process of the meeting is followed. • Parents may request a parent member by notifying the committee chair before the meeting. • Not an advocate for the family, but for the process.

Criteria for Eligibility • Have appropriate interventions been attempted with the student? • Is the student responding to present interventions? • Is there evidence that the student meets the criteria to be classified under IDEA?

IDEA Classifications NYSED has established 13 disability classifications for students who are eligible to receive special education support.

Drafting of the IEP Once eligibility is determined the CSE develops an Individualized Education Program (IEP): Ø Present Levels of Performance Ø Special factors (Behavior Supports, AT, etc. ) Ø Goals Ø Programs and Related Services (Least Restrictive Environment) Ø Modifications and Accommodations Ø Supports for Staff (Consultations with specialists) Ø Special Transportation

The Continuum of Services in Mamaroneck Least Restrictive -Related Services -Consultant Teacher Services (CTS) -Resource Room (RR) -Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) -Special Class -Outside of District (OOD) Most Restrictive LRE

Special Ed Formative Assessment – Test Your Special Education Knowledge!!!

Questions… Nora Mazzone Asst. Superintendent for Student Support Services nmazzone@mamkscools. org Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony Director of Special Education mmercantianthony@mamkschools. org Jennifer Monaco Director of Special Education jmonaco@mamkschools. org 914 -2203060