Special Education Services at Kenilworth
Occassionally, some students may need additional supports and services in order to access the general education curriculum. If their needs are significant, they may qualify for special education services in addition to or in place of instruction in the general education classroom. The teacher or parent may refer the child to the School Instructional Team (SIT). The SIT will discuss the child's strengths and needs, and using a Response to Intervention (RTI) model, may recommend classroom instructional strategies or additional instructional supports to assist the child in accessing the curriculum. The SIT will meet on a regular basis to monitor the child's progress and make additional recommendations for instructional interventions if needed.
Students who do not show improvements using the RTI model and are suspected of a having a disability that impacts their access to the the general education curriculum are referred to the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team. The IEP team may recommend assessments in order to gain more information about the students' strengths and needs. If the team determines that the child has a disability that impacts his or her access to the curriculumm, then the team (including the parent, administrator, general educator, special educator, and other staff) will develop an IEP for the child that describes the nature of supports and services the child needs.
The overall scope of special education supports and services provided at Kenilworth fluctuate from year to year depending upon the school's caseload of students with disabilities and their needs. The nature of special education services and placements for all children at Kenilworth Elementary School with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are based on each individual student's needs. Special education services range from full inclusion with consultative support by a special education teacher to small group instruction in a separate class for part or most of the school day.
During the 2009-2010 school year four classrooms will be dedicated to provide specialized instruction for students who require small group support away from their non-disabled peers for some part of the school day and two case managers who will provide direct and consultative support to students with mild disabilites in the regular education classrooms. Some students may also receive related services in the classroom and on a pull-out basis for motor development, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
The overall goal of our special education program is to maximize the inclusive opportunities for all students with disabilities. Our special education staff includes 6 certified special education resource teachers and 8 paraprofessionals.