Special Education
SPECIAL SERVICES
RtI / Instructional Support Team
The Instructional Support Team (IST) is comprised of the Assistant Principal, and School Psychologist / CSE / CPSE Chairperson, the Reading Specialist, the Speech/Language Pathologist, and the child’s classroom teacher. Other personnel may attend when the need is indicated. Professional staff members of the District refer children to the Instructional Support Team when there is concern regarding a student’s progress or functioning in the school setting. The team reviews the concerns and designs a plan for intervention. The plan can consist of recommendations for adjusting instruction or providing additional assistance in the classroom, a referral for RtI Services, or a referral to the Committee on Special Education. A member of the Instructional Support Team conferences with the parents/guardians to inform them of the conclusions reached by the Team and the recommendations for further intervention when necessary.
Committee on Special Education (CSE)
The Committee on Special Education is responsible for determining whether a student has a disability that impairs or adversely affects his or her learning. Referrals to the CSE can be initiated by a professional member of the Remsenburg-Speonk School District or by a child’s parent or legal guardian. Once a child is referred, it is the responsibility of the CSE to arrange for a multi-disciplinary evaluation to determine if a student has a disability. If a disability is identified, it is then the responsibility of the CSE to arrange for the appropriate programs and services to meet the student’s instructional needs. The CSE/CPSE Chairperson can be reached at 631-325-0203, Ext. 135.
Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE)
The Committee on Preschool Special Education serves children ages three to five. Parents who are concerned about the development of their preschool child should contact the CSE/CPSE Chairperson at 631-325-0203, Ext. 135. The Director will arrange for an evaluation with one of the approved evaluators from the Suffolk County list. Once the child has been evaluated, it is the CPSE’s responsibility to conduct meetings to review the evaluative reports and determine whether the child is eligible for special education services. If eligibility is determined, the CPSE will arrange for the necessary programs and/or services. Eligibility is based on NY State guidelines.
Response to Intervention Services
Response to Intervention Services are services for students who by multiple measures who are at risk of not achieving the State Learning Standards. This can include students with disabilities and limited English proficient (LEP) students. Response to Intervention Services include additional instruction that supplements the general curriculum or support services needed to address barriers to improve academic performance. Additional instruction can include extra time for focused instruction or staffing that increases student-teacher contact time. Support services include counseling, study skills, attendance improvement, coordination of services provided by other agencies, and progress monitoring. Parents/guardians will be notified if their child is recommended to receive Response to Intervention Services. If you are concerned that your child is in need of RtI, contact the CSE/CPSE Chairperson at 631-325-0203 Ext.135.
Academic Intervention Services
Academic Intervention Services are services for students who score below the New York State designated performance level on State assessments and/or who are at risk of not achieving the State Learning Standards. This can include students with disabilities and limited English proficient (LEP) students. Academic Intervention Services include additional instruction that supplements the general curriculum or support services needed to address barriers to improved academic performance. Additional instruction can include extra time for focused instruction or staffing that increases student-teacher contact time. Support services include counseling, study skills, attendance improvement, coordination of services provided by other agencies, and progress monitoring. Parents/guardians will be notified if their child is recommended to receive Academic Intervention Services. If you are concerned that your child is in need of Academic Intervention Services, contact our Special Education Department at 325-0203 Ext.138.
Gifted and Talented Education
The Remsenburg-Speonk School strives to provide each child with an education appropriate to his or her needs. Gifted children have special needs and require a differentiated educational program. The Challenges program seeks to develop those exceptional gifts using research-based instructional strategies tailored to each individual’s needs. This ELA-based program provides rigorous academic challenges to students in grades 4-6 who meet the school’s criteria for gifted and talented education. Math Unlimited is an enrichment program for students in grades 4-6 that demonstrate a need for additional challenges in math.
Eligibility for these programs is based on multiple yet specific criteria, which include an IQ-type test called SAGES (Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary Students), teacher observations, Standardized Academic Assessments, and other information, such as student work samples and parental input. The SAGES-2 K-3 is administered each June to all third grade students. Although research indicates that SAGES scores remain constant over time, students have the opportunity to take SAGES-2 4-8 in fifth grade. All students in grades 4-6 are reassessed annually. Contact Laureen Andria at 325-0203 Ext. 128 if you have any questions regarding Challenges and Christine Patsos at 325-0203 Ext. 131 if you have any questions regarding Math Unlimited.
RtI / Instructional Support Team
The Instructional Support Team (IST) is comprised of the Assistant Principal, and School Psychologist / CSE / CPSE Chairperson, the Reading Specialist, the Speech/Language Pathologist, and the child’s classroom teacher. Other personnel may attend when the need is indicated. Professional staff members of the District refer children to the Instructional Support Team when there is concern regarding a student’s progress or functioning in the school setting. The team reviews the concerns and designs a plan for intervention. The plan can consist of recommendations for adjusting instruction or providing additional assistance in the classroom, a referral for RtI Services, or a referral to the Committee on Special Education. A member of the Instructional Support Team conferences with the parents/guardians to inform them of the conclusions reached by the Team and the recommendations for further intervention when necessary.
Committee on Special Education (CSE)
The Committee on Special Education is responsible for determining whether a student has a disability that impairs or adversely affects his or her learning. Referrals to the CSE can be initiated by a professional member of the Remsenburg-Speonk School District or by a child’s parent or legal guardian. Once a child is referred, it is the responsibility of the CSE to arrange for a multi-disciplinary evaluation to determine if a student has a disability. If a disability is identified, it is then the responsibility of the CSE to arrange for the appropriate programs and services to meet the student’s instructional needs. The CSE/CPSE Chairperson can be reached at 631-325-0203, Ext. 135.
Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE)
The Committee on Preschool Special Education serves children ages three to five. Parents who are concerned about the development of their preschool child should contact the CSE/CPSE Chairperson at 631-325-0203, Ext. 135. The Director will arrange for an evaluation with one of the approved evaluators from the Suffolk County list. Once the child has been evaluated, it is the CPSE’s responsibility to conduct meetings to review the evaluative reports and determine whether the child is eligible for special education services. If eligibility is determined, the CPSE will arrange for the necessary programs and/or services. Eligibility is based on NY State guidelines.
Response to Intervention Services
Response to Intervention Services are services for students who by multiple measures who are at risk of not achieving the State Learning Standards. This can include students with disabilities and limited English proficient (LEP) students. Response to Intervention Services include additional instruction that supplements the general curriculum or support services needed to address barriers to improve academic performance. Additional instruction can include extra time for focused instruction or staffing that increases student-teacher contact time. Support services include counseling, study skills, attendance improvement, coordination of services provided by other agencies, and progress monitoring. Parents/guardians will be notified if their child is recommended to receive Response to Intervention Services. If you are concerned that your child is in need of RtI, contact the CSE/CPSE Chairperson at 631-325-0203 Ext.135.
Academic Intervention Services
Academic Intervention Services are services for students who score below the New York State designated performance level on State assessments and/or who are at risk of not achieving the State Learning Standards. This can include students with disabilities and limited English proficient (LEP) students. Academic Intervention Services include additional instruction that supplements the general curriculum or support services needed to address barriers to improved academic performance. Additional instruction can include extra time for focused instruction or staffing that increases student-teacher contact time. Support services include counseling, study skills, attendance improvement, coordination of services provided by other agencies, and progress monitoring. Parents/guardians will be notified if their child is recommended to receive Academic Intervention Services. If you are concerned that your child is in need of Academic Intervention Services, contact our Special Education Department at 325-0203 Ext.138.
Gifted and Talented Education
The Remsenburg-Speonk School strives to provide each child with an education appropriate to his or her needs. Gifted children have special needs and require a differentiated educational program. The Challenges program seeks to develop those exceptional gifts using research-based instructional strategies tailored to each individual’s needs. This ELA-based program provides rigorous academic challenges to students in grades 4-6 who meet the school’s criteria for gifted and talented education. Math Unlimited is an enrichment program for students in grades 4-6 that demonstrate a need for additional challenges in math.
Eligibility for these programs is based on multiple yet specific criteria, which include an IQ-type test called SAGES (Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary Students), teacher observations, Standardized Academic Assessments, and other information, such as student work samples and parental input. The SAGES-2 K-3 is administered each June to all third grade students. Although research indicates that SAGES scores remain constant over time, students have the opportunity to take SAGES-2 4-8 in fifth grade. All students in grades 4-6 are reassessed annually. Contact Laureen Andria at 325-0203 Ext. 128 if you have any questions regarding Challenges and Christine Patsos at 325-0203 Ext. 131 if you have any questions regarding Math Unlimited.