Superintendent's Column

The Needs of Special Education Students

(Throughout the school year, distinguished members of the administrative staff contribute columns to this space. This week's column is by Bruce Gottlieb, director of Special Education & Pupil Personnel Services.)

It is with great pleasure that I have had the opportunity to serve the Roslyn Public Schools as director of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education since July 1, 2002. Working in a district where students, program planning and academic achievement are a priority has been a refreshing addition to my educational leadership experience.

It quickly became evident from my first days in Roslyn that the district has a strong commitment to support the varied educational needs of students. In addition, staff members continuously go above and beyond to address the individual learning needs and abilities of all students in a fully inclusive school district environment.

Specifically, there are various models that the Roslyn Public Schools have initiated during the past few years to support students with special needs.

The district has engaged in a collaboration with Albert Einstein Medical Center to provide social skills training for students with autism or who function with abilities on the Aspergers Spectrum. The program includes ongoing professional development for parents, teachers, teacher assistants and student mentors. It has provided proven, positive results for our students as they progress in their educational careers and throughout their post-secondary education placements.

A service the district has offered to students with significant reading challenges is the Lindamood Bell Reading Program. This program provides a multi-modal approach to strengthen students' skills in reading, comprehension and written expression. Students are screened and must meet the criteria for receiving this service as determined by the Committee on Special Education.

In September 2002, a program that has provided life skills services for middle school students since 1999 was expanded to Roslyn High School. The program is designed to prepare students for life beyond their formal education and in the workplace. Academic, social and vocational skills are integrated throughout the curriculum and enhance life opportunities for students to become more independent across many aspects of school, home and community. The program serves students in the least restrictive environment with opportunities in the mainstream and community.

Last, but certainly not least, are our inclusion and co-teaching models. These programs provide educational support to students with special needs who are educated in general education classrooms. A variation of the service delivery model practiced at the Roslyn Middle School in the 2002-03 school year is currently under close review to ensure that the program is providing appropriate support to students' learning needs in the least restrictive environment.

Finally, we will be reviewing students currently served in pre-school special education programs to identify their specific levels of learning needs and abilities. This will provide us with the information necessary to plan appropriate models of instruction as these students enter the Roslyn public schools in kindergarten.

I look forward to further developing a close relationship with the district's outstanding professional staff and parents so that we can effectively address the needs of all the children in our school community.