Pupil Services
Special Education Services
The Chatham Central School District is committed to growth for all students, including those with disabilities. The Pupil Services Office is here to ensure your understanding of the special education process that, at times, can appear overwhelming. Your child’s education is our highest priority, and you are encouraged to contact this office with questions that are not readily answered by this website. Parents and families are critical partners, along with school personnel, in the education of children and our staff is here to assist you.
Special education means specially designed instruction or services to meet the identified needs of students with disabilities. While good teachers and good schools continuously individualize programs to meet the needs of students, special education is a more formal and comprehensive process of five basic steps:
- Referral for Special Education
- Individual Evaluation
- Determination of Eligibility for Special Education Services
- Individual Education Programming
- Annual review and triennial reevaluation
If you feel that your child is having difficulties in school and may be a student with a disability, first speak to the child’s teacher. Our schools offer many supports for students within regular education, such as counseling, speech and language services, curriculum and instructional modifications and Academic Intervention Services. Not all school problems are a result of a disability. School counselors, psychologist and principals are aware of the school’s support services and can help match student’s needs to services. While a parent always has the right to refer their child to the Committee on Special Education, we attempt to serve students through regular education programs before determining that the child is unable to make adequate progress in a program designed for typically developing students.
Additional sources of information on Special Education topics:
General introduction to special education-
Parents who wish to learn more about to the Committee on Special Education will benefit from reading “Special Education in New York State for Children Ages 3-21, A Parent’s Guide”, available at-
www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed. This site also links parents to a variety of State and Federal resources.
Procedural Safeguards-
Parents of children with disabilities may benefit from information concerning procedural safeguards that are their legal rights under Federal and State law in “Procedural Safeguards Notice”, available at:
www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/PSGN109.pdf
or a Spanish version at:
www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/spanishpsgn807.doc
Non-public school students-
Parents of students with disabilities or of students suspected to have disabilities may wish to review the information on special education for students who are parentally placed in non-public schools in New York State at:
www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/nonpublicparent.htm
Homeschooled students-
Parents of students with disabilities or of students suspected to have disabilities who homeschool may wish to review the most current information on the coordination of special education services to homeschoolers at:
www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/homeinstructed708.htm
Mediation of disputes-
Parents of students with disabilities may request special education mediation to assist parents and school districts to resolve disagreements. Learn more about special education mediation at: www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/mediationbook.htm
Chatham Residents-
Chatham residents are welcome to contact Director of Pupil Services, Dr. Jean Scheriff, at 392-2417, with any questions about special education.