The department's goal is to provide students with a free, appropriate, public education in the least restrictive environment. A full continuum of Special Education services is available including in-class support, self-contained classes, and resource programs. The full array of services includes psychological, education and social services; speech, physical and occupational therapy. Caring, creative, highly qualified special educators continuously assess programs and make modifications and accommodations based on the students’ individual needs. Staff members are committed to providing the tools that will enable students to become successful and independent in the classroom and out in the community.
Project Child Find was established by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) as a free public awareness and referral service to assist parents and professionals in identifying unserved/underserved youth with a delay or disability from birth to 12. It focuses primarily on identifying pre-school children ages 3 to 5 years old who demonstrate physical, mental, language or emotional difficulties. Screening is provided and, if needed, the child is enrolled in an appropriate program. For information regarding referral service for children from birth to three years old, you may call 1 (800) 322-8174. The number is in service 24 hours a day, and all calls received are confidential. More information can be located on state website at
http://www.state.nj.us/education/specialed/childfind/fact_sheet.pdfTeaneck Public Schools offers
in class support classes in grades 5-12 for students to be educated in the least restrictive environment. That model of delivery is a team-teaching approach that uses highly qualified special education teacher and general education teachers. It enables classified students to participate in regular education classes to the maximum extent possible.
Self-contained special education classes are available, grades Pre-K-8, for students who need intensive support and/or more than a half day of replacement instruction. The self-contained class provides a small, structured, nurturing and highly individualized environment with one teacher for all areas of instruction.
Multiply Disabled/Autism programs are offered in grades PreK - Grade 9 in Teaneck Public Schools with small student/teacher ratio and opportunities for community based instruction and mainstreaming opportunities. There is an emphasis on parent support and training so parents can work with their students socially, emotionally, and academically.
Resource Programs provide students with direct instruction in substantive content areas (replacement classes), or support instruction to assist them in their mainstream course work via resource centers. This is offered in grades K-12.
Transitional Counseling assists secondary-level classified students to identify their post-secondary goals, whether in employment or continuing education. Linkages are established with adult community agencies, such as the New Jersey Division for Vocational Rehabilitation
http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/dvrs/DVRIndex.html and/or the Department for Developmental Disabilities
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd/home/about/.
Students also receive advice prior to high school graduation on tuition reimbursement for college or technical schools, housing possibilities, legal and medical services, etc. Through Interest Inventories and Profiles, job-shadowing and mentoring, students gain insight into their strengths and weaknesses, and develop those skills that lead to self-advocacy.
