Informational updates will be found here as they become available
Special Education
IEP Implementation
The Berlin Central School District will continue to provide FAPE to students with disabilities to the greatest extent possible consistent with the changing health and safety conditions that exist. This includes providing all accommodations, modifications, programs, services, assistive technology, etc., as outlined in a student’s Individualized Education Plan. It should be noted that NYSED guidance continues to permit the same flexibility with respect to IEP implementation for delivery of services during school closures due to the COVID-19 outbreak to programs and services whether delivered in-person and/or remotely (e.g., flexibility with respect to the mode and/or manner; group or individual sessions; specific group size for related services, frequency, duration and location of related services, and special class size ratio, etc.).
Communication as it pertains to Special Education
Parent and family communication will continue through administration, teaching faculty, related service providers, and support staff. All communication and services will be documented at a minimum weekly and collected by the Director of Exceptional Education. Communication will occur through multiple means, including but not limited to: phone calls, email, district website, district Facebook, School Messenger system, letters mailed or sent home, and home visits when necessary.
Provision of Services
Grades Pre K-6:
- All students, including students with disabilities, will return to school in-person four days a week.
- To maintain social distancing protocols, class sizes will be reduced, as needed. Attempts will be made to adhere to the 50% ratio in integrated co-teach classes to the greatest extent possible to maintain the intention of those services.
- Related services and academic services will continue to be provided to the greatest extent possible while adhering to all health and safety protocols and maintaining health and safety as a priority for our staff and students.
Grades 7-12:
- Students with disabilities may return to school in-person four days a week (versus two days a week for students without disabilities).
- It is recommended that self-contained classes meet in-person four days a week, if possible.
- To maintain social distancing protocols, class sizes will be reduced. Attempts will be made to adhere to the 50% ratio in integrated co-taught classes to the greatest extent possible to maintain the intention of those services.
- Related services and academic services will continue to be provided to the greatest extent possible while adhering to all health and safety protocols and maintaining health and safety as a priority for our staff and students.
Progress Monitoring of Students with Disabilities
Data collection will continue to occur whether in-person or remote to monitor student needs and progress on goals. Progress reports will be provided to parents on the same schedule and in the same manner as indicated on the student’s IEP.
Evaluations of Students with Disabilities
The district will utilize all available resources to continue to assess students for initial evaluations and reevaluations as per State and federal timelines. At this time, CSE meetings will be conducted in a remote manner to ensure the continued health and safety of our faculty, staff, and community.
Collaboration with Agencies Outside the Berlin Central School District
The Director of Exceptional Education will work with private and public out-of-district placements and agencies and providers of services to ensure the provisions of special education services for the students served by those programs. The Director will collect written plans from these schools and ensure that the plans are communicated with families.