IF YOU CURRENTLY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S ACADEMIC SKILLS OR BEHAVIOR, CLICK HERE.

What is meant by Special Education?
Specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of eligible kids whose educational needs can't be met through modification of the regular instructional program; provides for a range of options for services, such as pull out programs, special day classes; available to kids enrolled in public schools

What is the Child Study Team (CST)?
A group of professionals employed by the school district who provide consultative, evaluative, and prescriptive services to teachers and parents in regard to students who are experiencing school related difficulties. The members of the Child Study Team as determined by the New Jersey Department of Education are a school psychologist, a learning disabilities teacher consultant and a school social worker.

How is a student referred for a Child Study Team Evaluation?
Students between the ages of 3 and 21 suspected of having an educational disability may be referred to the Child Study Team for an evaluation by a variety of sources but generally they come from one of the following: 
1. PARENTS: Parents may request a Child Study Team Evaluation by contacting the CST and forwarding the request in writing.
2. I&RS: The I&RS Intervention and Referral Services is a building based inter-disciplinary group that meets regularly to provide intervention for students experiencing difficulty in the classroom.  Once the I&RS has utilized its resources and determines that additional information may be necessary, or feels that the student may be potentially educationally disabled, the student may be
recommended for a CST evaluation.
3. ADMINISTRATORS or OUTSIDE AGENCIES: The Principal or other building administrator or an individual from an outside agency (doctor, social worker etc.) may refer a student for a Child Study Team Evaluation.
 
Are students automatically tested if the request is made?
No.  Once a request for a Child Study Team evaluation is made an Intial CST Meeting must be scheduled.  At that meeting it is determined if a Child Study Team Evaluation is warranted and if so an Evaluation Plan is developed.

What are the responsibilities of the school psychologist?
The school psychologist has expertise in determining a child’s level of cognitive and conceptual development. In addition the psychologist is concerned with the emotional status of the student, and how both internal and external factors may affect behavior and performance in school. The school psychologist works with both general education and special education teachers to maximize a student’s potential.

What are the responsibilities of the learning disabilities teacher consultant?
The learning consultant (LDT-C) is trained to determine the learning styles of students, to determine specific achievement levels in a variety of content areas, and to recommend specific teaching methods and strategies that may benefit a student. This professional is generally called upon to model specific strategies and methods that may benefit students.

What are the responsibilities of the school social worker?
The expertise of the social worker lies in assessing the student relative to the family, the school, and the community. This professional generally gathers information concerning the student’s health, family, and school history as it pertains to the student’s current school functioning.  The social worker is also the professional responsible for coordinating community resources on behalf of students and their families.

What is a Multidisciplinary Team?
Professionals with different training and expertise; may include, but not limited to, any combination of the following public school personnel — general education teacher, special education teacher, administrator, school psychologist, speech and language therapist, counselor — and the parent

What is a Learning Disability (LD)?
A neurobiological disorder which affects the way a person of average to above average intelligence receives, processes, or expresses information. LD impacts one’s ability to learn the basic skills of reading, writing, or math.

What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?
Federal law that provides for special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities

What is an Individualized Education Program (IEP)?
The IEP is a written document that's developed for each public school child who's eligible for special education. It is designed to meet the child's unique educational needs. The IEP is created through a team effort and reviewed at least once a year.

What is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act?
Federal civil rights law requiring school programs and buildings to be accessible to children with disabilities; protects from discrimination

What is a Section 504 Plan? Click here to read about eligibility
If your child is eligible, then a Section 504 Plan will be developed to give her access to the general education curriculum. A free appropriate public education (FAPE) under Section 504 often means identifying reasonable accommodations to help her succeed in the classroom. An accommodation plan usually addresses the following:
* Nature of the disability and major life activity it limits
* Basis for determining the disability
* Educational impact of the disability
* Necessary accommodations
* Placement in the least restrictive environment (LRE)

What is meant by Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)?
A requirement of IDEA; all children with a disability must receive special education services and related services at no cost. The courts have said that a child must receive "some benefit" from his education, but schools don't have to maximize your child's potential.

What is meant by Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)?
Educational instruction in a place that encourages maximum interaction between children with disabilities and nondisabled kids and is appropriate to both.

What are Accommodations?
Techniques and materials that don't change the basic curriculum but do make learning a little easier or help kids communicate what they know

What are Modifications?
Changes in the delivery, content, or instructional level of a subject or test. They result in changed or lowered expectations and create a different standard for kids with disabilities than for those without disabilities.

RELATED SERVICES
What are Speech and Language Services?
A related service, which is designed to help the development of age-appropriate speech and language skills. These skills are essential to the learning process and to a student’s social, emotional, and academic growth.  Students must be able to comprehend language, express their thoughts and opinions, interact effectively and efficiently with peers and adults, and produce speech which others can easily understand.

How are students referred for Speech and Language Services?
Students can be referred for speech and language services by their parents or their classroom teachers if they are concerned about a student’s speech and language proficiency as part of a Child Study Team Evaluation or in isolation.  The goal of these services is to help students develop the speech and language skills necessary for positive interpersonal relationships and academic success.

What is Occupational Therapy?
A related service, which is designed to help students within a school setting who are showing an educational related difficulty, which impairs his/her ability to function in the school environment.  Occupational Therapists use purposeful activity to facilitate a student’s active participation in the areas of self-care, academic and /or vocational pursuits, as well as play and leisure activities.  Using direct and indirect services, as well as assistive technology and environmental modifications, school occupational therapists collaborate with parents, teachers, and other educational staff to help implement a child’s program.  The goal of services is to assist a student to function well within the school setting.