The South Colonie Central School District is responsible for providing special education services to all resident students who qualify for such supports. These services are coordinated by the district's Pupil Services Department, which encompasses the district's Committees for Special Education at the preschool, elementary and secondary levels. The Pupil Services Office also oversees the district's health (nurses), counseling and mental health (social workers and school psychologists) services for all resident students.

SEPTA Helps Parents of Children With Special Needs

The South Colonie Special Education PTA or SEPTA is special PTA unit chartered in 2009 to help parents advocate for children with special needs. Special Education is free appropriate education in the least restrictive environment for children who require differentiated programs and/or special services beyond the normal provided by the regular school program. Visit the SEPTA page

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Preschool Children with Disabilities

The district's Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) is responsible for ensuring that parents are aware of the opportunities available for evaluation of children 3-5 years old who are suspected of having a disability, and for services to preschool children with disabilities. The committee consists of representatives from preschool special education agencies, county administrators, parents and district staff. All recommendations for services are made to the Board of Education. If you have concerns about your child's development, or would like more information, call (518) 869-6759, Ext. 11 or e-mail Barbara.Abbatiello.

Committee on Special Education (CSE)

The Committee on Special Education (CSE) is sanctioned and regulated by New York State. It acts as a multi-disciplinary team to evaluate the management, academic, physical and social needs of the referred child and determines if there is an educational disability. The CSE must then decide on an appropriate program or placement for the student and the need for related services (i.e. occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, counseling, etc.) if necessary.

Family supports through OMRDD

The State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) provides families with a variety of services like respite, family reimbursement, recreation, counseling, training and support. For more information, click here, or visit the OMRDD web site.

Notice to parents regarding inclement weather and Committee on Special Education meetings

If school is delayed or cancelled, the information will be sent over the district's Emergency Telephone Notification System, in addition to being posted on this web site and distributed to several local media outlets for their web sites and/or broadcasts. If you have a Committee on Special Education (CSE) meeting scheduled for a day that school is cancelled or delayed, please be aware of the following information. full story

IEP Plan

The Committee on Special Education must develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for all students who are eligible for special education services. In developing the IEP, the committee considers evaluations, student strengths, concerns of the parent and, where appropriate, student performance on state and district assessments. An IEP documents the following: present level of performance; how the student’s disability impacts his/her participation in the general curriculum; classification of the disability; annual goals; recommended programs and services; whether or not the student will participate in state or alternate assessments; a list of any alternative accommodations; a list of any assistive technology devices; and transitional goals at the appropriate time.

Helpful Publications and Web Links for Special Education Parents and Students

Note: The State Education Department has recently revised the special education regulations to come into compliance with the 2004 IDEIA. These regulations do not reflect the most recent State changes in law (Chapter 378 of the Laws of 2007).

Private School Special Education Placement (Christian Brothers Academy, Our Savior Lutheran School, Hebrew Academy, An Nur Islamic School) – Dual Enrollment Form – Request for Services (pdf). NOTE: Dual Enrollment forms must be submitted by June 1 in order to receive service for the following school year. i.e., June 1, 2011 for school year 2011-2012.

Parent Guide to Special Education - A Parent's Guide to Special Education provides information for parents, guardians and other family members about laws, regulations and policies affecting special education programs and services. Spanish translation also available at this site.

Information for Parents of Preschool Students with Disabilities AGES 3-5 - Web site with information for parents of preschool children suspected of having a disability.

Resolving Concerns About Your Child's Special Education Services - Web site with information and steps to resolve concerns regarding your child and his/her special education programs or services.

Are you the parent of a Child with a Disability? - Web site with information relating to access to the general education curriculum and the safety net for students with disabilities who pursue a Regents or local high school diploma.

Special Education Mediation - Real Solutions Where Everybody Wins - Web site describes a cooperative way to help resolve differences of opinion between parents and school districts regarding special education programs and services.

Parts 200 and 201 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education - Web site with information on the responsibilities of school districts and provides definitions as related to services for students with disabilities.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services for High School Students – Web site offering a question and answer resource for parents with information on eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services and placement services including job-seeking skills training, employer referrals, work tryouts and on-the-job services.

Learning Disabilities Association of New York State - LDA of New York State is a nationally affiliated non-profit parent/professional organization chartered by the New York State Board of Regents in 1958 to promote the education and general welfare of individuals with learning disabilities. LDA of New York State membership includes parents, educators, adults with learning disabilities and professionals from a variety of related fields.

Procedural Safeguards Notice: Rights for Parents of Children with Disabilities Ages 3-21.

NYS Technical Assistance Parent Centers: There are 13 Special Education Parent Centers across New York State. These centers provide parents of children with disabilities information, resources, and strategies on a variety of topics.

special education News Stories

More Students With Disabilities Nationally Headed To College

Posted on december 15, 2011

A story in Education Week shows how more students with disabilities nationally are headed to college these days. full story

Colonie High Art Teacher Authors Kid's Book On Understanding Children With Disabilities

Posted on october 19, 2011

When a child has a disability it can be tough on a family, especially for the young brothers and sisters who often struggle to understand the situation at home. That was the personal dilemma facing Colonie Central High School art teacher Lisa Benanto until she took matters into her own hands. full story

Beach Time Summer Activities at Forest Park Elementary School

Posted on August 1, 2011

Learning in the Special Needs program at Forest Park Elementary School this summer included spending time reading, writing, and engaging in various activities about the beach/ocean. View a photo gallery

Summer Doggie Time Teaches Special Needs Students About Animals

Posted on july 21, 2011

“Doggie Time” has become a popular part of the South Colonie summertime special needs program at both the elementary and high school levels. At the end of each day’s art classes, the children have a chance to learn about how to behave and interact with animals. view a photo gallery

Summer in Germany For South Colonie High School Special Needs Students

Posted on july 19, 2011

South Colonie high school students in the district’s summertime special needs program are learning about Germany this year and the German immigrant community of Pennsylvania. They are studying the immigrant population that eventually became known as Pennsylvania Dutch, which also includes the Amish. Art class this summer has focused on creating traditional folk motifs and crafts of both communities. Featured in this art gallery are images of the children’s folk designs based on German folk art. They also painted glass wine bottles (to be used as vases) that also included these folk motifs. view a photo gallery

Special Needs Students Experience Summertime Art

Posted on july 19, 2011

South Colonie elementary and middle school students in the district's summertime special needs program experience art classes once a week just like during the regular school year. In the first lesson, elementary students are challenged to recognize common shapes and find them mixed among other objects. In another summer art lesson, special needs student draw self portraits, using a combination of pencil and crayon. view a photo gallery