The Blind Brook-Rye U.F.S.D. is committed to providing special education supports and services to students in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). As mandated by both the letter and the spirit of the law, the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) and the Committee on Special Education (CSE) follow the continuum of services beginning with support within the general education setting. These supports may be related services; consultant teacher--both direct and indirect services; program modifications; testing accommodations; etc. As services and programs are added to a student’s IEP, the setting becomes more restrictive. The law clearly states that students are to be educated as much as possible with their non-disabled peers. The greater the amount of time spent receiving services in a separate location, the more restrictive the program.
Related Services
Related services, as defined by Part 200 of the Commissioner’s Regulations are defined as "...developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are required to assist a student with a disability and includes speech-language pathology, audiology services, psychological services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling services, orientation and mobility services, medical services... parent counseling and training, school health services, school social work, assistive technology services, other appropriate developmental or corrective support services, appropriate access to recreation and other appropriate support services".
Blind Brook-Rye U.F.S.D. provides all related services as mandated by students’ Individualize Education Plans (IEPs). Our district has the following related service providers on staff: Speech and Language Pathologists; Psychologists; Occupational Therapist and a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant; School Nurses; and a Physical Therapist. Clinicians provide services both in special locations and within the classroom setting. The site where a student receives services is determined by the Committee on Special Education (CSE) or the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE). It is not unusual for students to receive some of their services in class and some in a special location.
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Consultant Teacher Services
Consultant teacher services may be direct or indirect services. As defined by Part 200 of the Commissioner’s Regulations:
(1) Direct consultant teacher services means specially designed individualized or group instruction provided by a certified special education teacher...to a student with a disability to aid such student to benefit from the student’s regular education classes.
(2) Indirect consultant teacher services means consultation provided by a certified special education teacher...to regular education teacher to assist them in adjusting the learning environment and/or modifying instructional methods to meet the individual needs of a student with a disability who attends their classes.
Many of our students receive both direct and indirect consultant teacher services. Direct services may be provided in a special location or within the classroom setting. Working within the classroom enables the special educator to immediately clarify and assist the student(s). Special location instruction provides an opportunity for the special educator and the student to work on specific skills and projects away from the classroom setting. It is not unusual for services to be designated on a student’s IEP as Integrated/Non-Integrated Setting. This enables the educators to be flexible in providing the services based on the immediate and long-term needs of the student(s).
When a special educator provides indirect services, (s)he is primarily working with general educators on how best to teach the classified student. Often it means a modification to materials and how a subject is taught. The consultant teacher does not work directly with the student.
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Resource Room
Resource room is a special education program for a student with a disability in either special or regular classes who needs specialized supplementary instruction in a small group or individualized setting. The resource room teacher is a special education teacher who works with designated students on specific skills as mandated on the IEP; (s)he may also work with the student, and general education teacher, on projects, homework, and examinations.
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Integrated Class
Integrated classes are general education classes that are taught by a general educator and a special educator. The general educator is a content area specialist. The special educator works along side the general educator. Each brings their expertise to the classroom setting. All of the students enrolled in the classes receive additional support. Additional modifications to the curriculum, assignments, and grading, for those classified students whose IEPs mandate additional supports, are made by the special education teacher. Blind Brook-Rye offers integrated classes on the secondary level.
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Self Contained or Special Class
Special or self contained classes are comprised of students with disabilities who have been grouped together because of similar individual needs for the purpose of being provided specially designed instruction. Blind Brook-Rye has two self contained classes at the elementary school level. They are for students with social communications needs. There is a Kindergarten, First, Second grade class and a Third, Fourth, Fifth grade class. These classes have an 8:1:1 ratio--8 students, 1 teacher, 1 teacher’s aide/assistant. These classes are in collaboration with Southern Westchester BOCES.
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