RCSD Continuum of Special Education Services for School-Age Students

Research on specially designed instruction clearly supports high quality instruction provided to the greatest extent possible to meet the student's individualized education program (IEP) in the general education classrooms where students with disabilities have the greatest likelihood of receiving curriculum content delivered by highly qualified teachers.  Schools may utilize a variety of combinations of special education supports and services to serve students with disabilities in general education settings and promote meaningful access, participation and progress in the general curriculum, including consultant teacher services, paraprofessional support, resource room services and integrated co-teaching.

Access to and participation in the general education curriculum does not occur solely because a student is placed in a general education classroom, but rather when students with disabilities are actively engaged in learning the content and skills that define the general education curriculum.  Meaningful access to the general education curriculum means that a student with a disability has the appropriate supports, services and accommodations to address his or her disability in consideration of the content of the curriculum, instructional materials, how the curriculum is taught to the student, the physical environment and how the student's learning is measured.  It is the consideration of the individual needs of the student and the support, services and/or modifications needed to the general education curriculum, instructional methods, instructional materials and/or instructional environment that determine which of the service delivery options would be most appropriate to assist the student to meet his/her annual goals and to meet New York State’s (NYS) learning standards. 

RCSD continuum of services follows the NYSED guidance and offers:

• consultant teacher services (direct and/or indirect)
• resource room services
• related services
• integrated co-teaching services
• a variaty of special class where students are grouped by similarity of need

CSE does not determine the location the special education services will be provided. Placement of students in RCSD schools is based on the availability of open seats at the time the student is being placed. Availability varies throughout the year based on student enrollment at any given time. Student placement into a school building is determined and  communicated through the Placement Office.