Services
Consultant Teacher Services
Consultant teacher services are specifically designed individual or group instruction provided by a certified special education teacher to a student with a disability within the regular education classroom. Special education teachers may provide consultant teacher services to students with disabilities who are enrolled in regular education classes. Direct or indirect services may be provided depending upon the needs of the child for a minimum of two hours per week. The student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) will outline the specific needs to be addressed.
Integrated Co-teaching (Collaborative Team Teaching)
Integrated co-teaching services, as defined in regulation, means the provision of specially designed instruction and academic instruction provided to a group of students with disabilities and nondisabled students in a general education setting. The Westmoreland Central School District believes that all students perform best when supports are brought to the student to meet their individual needs academically. A special education teacher and a general education teacher will work together as teaching professionals along with paraprofessional support to deliver the curriculum in a least restrictive manner to special education students who will be working among their nondisabled peers in a general education setting.
Resource Room Program
Students who are classified by CSE may receive resource room services. Resource room programs shall be used to supplement classroom instruction of students with disabilities. Each student with a disability receiving services shall receive three hours of instruction per week or more. Instructional groups in a resource room program shall not exceed five students per teacher and shall be clustered based on similarity of individual needs. Students may be grouped based on the levels of academic or educational achievement and learning characteristics, levels of social or physical development or management needs of the students. The Westmoreland Central School District Resource Room teachers address the students' needs as per their IEP goals. They also practice strategies to promote student learning such as pre-teaching vocabulary and concepts, scaffolding knowledge, using graphic organizers and other effective learning strategies. The resource room teacher services are designed to focus on the student's disability and are not a tutoring session. The resource room teacher can also consult with the general education teachers to assist with program modifications within the classroom for the student.
Related Services
Related services are provided to students with disabilities throughout the district. A student may receive speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing services and counseling. The frequency, duration and location of the services are specified in the IEP. Students may receive any combination of the above services based on qualifying for the service. Speech and language services are provided for a minimum of two thirty-minute sessions each week. Other related services are provided based on need.
Special Class (Primary Instruction) 12:1:1
A 12:1:1 special class is a special education class that has a maximum of 12 students, with one certified special education teacher and one teaching assistant. Primary instruction is designed to address the student’s specific academic needs as stated in the student’s IEP. The students that are recommended for this class would need a more individualized program in a more restrictive classroom. The Westmoreland Central School District currently contracts with the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES for students that need a 12:1:1 classroom. These classes are school-based and are located in school districts throughout our BOCES region.
Special Class (Primary Instruction) 8:1:1
A 8:1:1 special class is a special education class that has a maximum of 8 students, with one certified special education teacher and one teaching assistant. Primary for a more structured environment with a focus on behavior management. The Westmoreland Central School District currently contracts with Oneida-Herkimer- Madison BOCES for students that need a 8:1:1 classroom. These classes may be school or center based depending on the needs of the student.
Declassification Support Services
Any student needing services as a transition from special education services to general education services in the year he/she leaves a special education program has declassification support services as deemed appropriate by the Committee on Special Education. These services may include academic support services as well as counseling.
Homebound Instruction
Any student who is determined unable to attend school by their physician or students who, because of the severity of their disability, are awaiting placement are entitled to homebound instruction.