Special Education Programs
The Special Education Department provides a comprehensive program of services for students with special needs. Options range from prescriptive specialized academic support to substantially separate programs. The process for determining eligibility for Special Education services is outlined in the general laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 71B. Eligibility is based on the following: (1) evidence of one or more disabilities, (2) student is not making effective progress in school and that lack of progress is a result of the student’s disability and the student requires specially designed instruction in order to make effective progress in school or requires related services in order to access the general curriculum. If the student is found eligible for services, an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) will be developed by a special education team; the program includes student-centered goals, which are delivered in a variety of models. The following are examples of models used for delivering programs and services:
in-class support / consultation;
academic support and instruction in regular education settings, often known as inclusion programs;
academic support for regular education subjects within special education settings;
direct instruction in skill areas within special education settings; and
academic instruction in specific content areas.