1. The ABCs of Student Support Services
What Does it All Mean?
Nora Mazzone
Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services
Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony
Director of Special Education Pre-K-12
Jennifer Monaco
Nora to invite principal and K teacher

2. What is Student Support Services?
Serve as a resource Pre-K to 12 students and families who are currently classified as having a disability as well as those who simply have concerns and questions about their child’s learning profile.
“Everything except general ed!”
SSS team works closely with building administrators and other building level supports (e.g. Reading teacher, social worker, etc.)
School Psychologists
Speech and Language Pathologists
Guidance Councilors
Social Workers
504 Committees
Occupational Therapy
IST Committees
Physical Therapy
Special Educators

3. Student Support Services Formative Assessment – Test Your Special Education Knowledge!!!
Lindsay

4. RTI: Response to Intervention
RTI is an initiative designed to ensure that all students benefit from standards-based curriculum, high quality instruction, appropriate interventions and close monitoring of progress.
RTI is a multi-tiered, problem solving approach that identifies students at risk in academic and behavioral areas and provides them with systematic, research-based strategies at increasing levels of intensity and frequency.
RTI is a pre-cursor to Special Education and includes building level screenings and AIS services.

5. RTI Model

6. Building Level Team-Meetings
Case Conferences/Team Meetings
IST
504
Goal in All Cases:
Identify the students academic, social, and emotional needs and strengths and identify appropriate interventions.

7. Referral to Special Education
A referral is made to the CSE when a student has maximized the building level supports and he/she is not making progress.
A referral can be made by the IST, 504, or parent.
Parents are considered part of the team and are encouraged to full participate, ask questions and share their thoughts.

8. Special Education Timeline
Initial Referral to Special Education (Parent or School Based)
PWN Consent Sent Home to Parents
Evaluation
CSE Meeting (Within 60 days of receipt of signed consent)

9. The Evaluation Process
Evaluation by a multidisciplinary team:
Social history
Psychological evaluation
Educational evaluation
Classroom observation
Speech, OT, and PT as appropriate
Teacher reports
Physical
FBA/BIP

10. The CSE Meeting
Charged with determining eligibility for Special Education
Parents are an integral member of the committee
At the CSE meeting, evaluations will be reviewed, eligibility is determined and an IEP is created, if the students meets criteria for special education.
Typical CSE Agenda
Reason for Referral
Evaluation Results
Present Levels of Performance (PLP)
Eligibility Determination
Drafting of IEP or Response Plan

11. Student Support Services Formative Assessment – Test Your Special Education Knowledge!!!
Lindsay

12. The Parent Member
A trained volunteer charged with ensuring the process of the meeting is followed.
Parents may request a parent member by notifying the committee chair before the meeting.
Not an advocate for the family, but for the process.

13. Criteria for Eligibility
Have appropriate interventions been attempted with the student?
Is the student responding to present interventions?
Is there evidence that the student meets the criteria to be classified under IDEA?

14. IDEA Classifications
NYSED has established 13 disability classifications for students who are eligible to receive special education support.

15. Drafting of the IEP
Once eligibility is determined the CSE develops an Individualized Education Program (IEP):
Present Levels of Performance
Special factors (Behavior Supports, AT, etc.)
Goals
Programs and Related Services (Least Restrictive Environment)
Modifications and Accommodations
Supports for Staff (Consultations with specialists)
Special Transportation

16. The Continuum of Services in Mamaroneck
Least Restrictive
-Related Services
-Consultant Teacher Services (CTS)
-Resource Room (RR)
-Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT)
-Special Class
-Outside of District (OOD)
Most Restrictive
LRE

17. Special Ed Formative Assessment – Test Your Special Education Knowledge!!!
Lindsay

18. Questions… 914-220-3060 Nora Mazzone Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony
Asst. Superintendent for Student Support Services
Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony
Director of Special Education
Jennifer Monaco