4321

PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to do all it can to enable students with disabilities to live full, useful and self-sufficient lives. All avenues shall be explored for the attainment of this goal.

The Board of Education shall provide appropriate programs and maintain records for each child residing in the district identified by the Committee on Special Education (CSE) as having a disability. The following outlines the district plan, program and committee guidelines:

I.     District Plans for Special Education Programs and Services

The Director of Pupil Personal Services (PPS) & Special Education will prepare biannual plans describing the full range of its special education programs and services. Such description shall include the number and age span of children served by these programs, the methods of evaluation used, and the program's estimated budget (including date of adoption).

II.     Access to School Programs by Students with Disabilities

Each student with a disability will have access to the full range of programs and services of this school district, including extracurricular programs and activities, which are available to all other pupils enrolled in the public schools of the district. Such programs and services include, but are not limited to:

                a.     all courses required for a high school diploma,

                b.     required state achievement and competency tests,

                c.     Regents and accelerated courses,

                d.     remedial instruction,

                e.     computer instruction and usage,

                f.     occupational education,

                g.     high school equivalency programs, and

                h.     guidance and career education.

The Board of Education will also ensure that instructional techniques and materials used by the school are modified to the extent appropriate to provide the opportunity for students with disabilities to meet diploma requirements.

III.     Committee on Special Education Members and Disabled Program Staff

Committee on Special Education (CSE) members, and other personnel charged with the education of children with disabilities, shall be appropriately appointed and trained.

The Board of Education will consider prospective members of the CSE and other personnel with regard to their specific educational and personal qualifications, working knowledge of students with disabilities, objectivity and dedication. After discussion of the above qualifications, the Board shall appoint CSE members and other personnel based upon its best judgment.

The Board may, as appropriate, make local, county and state-sponsored training sessions available to present and future CSE members and other appointed personnel. It is the intent of the Board to promote the training of school district officials and personnel regarding the respective roles and responsibilities of the Board of Education, CSE, administrators and other staff members. Personnel will be encouraged to participate in training sessions and to provide in-service workshops so that others can be made more knowledgeable of the disabilities, needs and law and regulations in this area.

The District shall assess periodically the inservice training needs of the personnel assigned for the instruction of children with disabilities, including the members and chairperson of the Committee on Special Education, and shall provide suitable inservice training to meet the identified needs.

IV.     Operation of Educational Programs for Students with Disabilities

The special education programs shall be operated in accordance with the regulations of the Commissioner of Education of the State of New York.

In order to ensure access to such programs, the CSE will review annually each eligible student's program with regard to:

                a.    progress toward a high school diploma,

                b.    the extent to which the student can benefit from participation in regular education programs and services
                       (least restrictive environment), and

                c.     the extent to which credit towards a high school diploma can be granted through participation in special
                        education programs.

At each annual review of a student's Individual Education Program, the CSE shall consider the appropriateness of modifications, which may include:

                a.     testing modifications

                b.     equipment modifications

                c.     modification of instructional techniques (e.g., use of tape recorders, etc.)

Appropriate modifications to instructional techniques and materials shall be prescribed on the student's Phase I Individual Education Program, to be followed by all personnel providing programs and services to the student.

V.     Participation of Students with Disabilities in Extracurricular Programs and Activities

Students with disabilities residing in the district shall have the opportunity to participate in district programs, including extracurricular programs and activities, which are available to all other students enrolled in the public schools of the district.

The district will ensure that extracurricular programs and activities are accessible to students with disabilities and will make appropriate individual modifications, including physical facilities, scheduling and transportation arrangements, so that a student will not be excluded because of the presence of a disability.

 

Cross-ref: 1210, Citizens Advisory Committees

4773, Individualized Education Program Diplomas

5100, Student Attendance

Ref: 8 NYCRR Part 200; §§100.9; 200.2; 200.6

Adoption date: January 1, 1993
                        December 7, 1999