Specialized Instruction
Page Navigation
- Home
- Departments
- District Records Request
- Transition Bills of Rights
- Laws Related to Restraint and Seclusion
- Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC)
- Public Department Notices (COVID-19)
- State of Connecticut IEP Manual
- Resources for Families CT Dept Education
- Procedural Safeguards Required Under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- Special Education Policy & Procedures Manual
- Guide to Special Education Services
- Information Links
- CSDE Independent Educational Evaluations at Public Expense and In-School Observations
- IEE Evaluator Criteria
-
Office of Specialized Instruction
(203) 275-1306
Special Education Services
Special Education is a service not a placement. Services include specially designed instruction and related services. Specially designed instruction is provided as determined by the student's education plan (IEP) and is based on an individualized evaluation of the student's disability and needs. Related services support the educational program and are determined by the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) and specified in the student's Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). Related services include: Psychological, Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Health, Social Work, Hearing Impaired, Autism Consultation, Behavioral Consultation, Assistive Technology Consultation, Vocational/Transition and/or Transportation. Services may be delivered in the general education classroom or in the related services room.The Delivery of Special Education Services
The delivery of Special Education Services is driven by the individual needs of the student, the requirements of the Federal and State mandates (IDEA) and the availability of resources within the student's home/neighborhood school. The referral for special education services requires data on the student's response to instruction and intervention in general education, (i.e. differentiated instruction, accommodations, strategies, reading specialist/tutor, early intervention, student assistance team recommendations, etc). In addition to examining the student's performance on curriculum-based assessments, a psycho-educational evaluation is completed. Upon review of the data the PPT determines eligibility for a disability and the need for special education services and an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is developed to meet the unique needs of the student. The student's needs on the IEP determine services and educational placement. The development of the student IEP and the delivery of services are done in collaboration with the general education teacher, parents, related service providers and implemented within the Least Restrictive Environment. The district utilizes a web-based IEP program to correlate with the general education grade level curriculum.