Special Education

Child Find Notice 11/9/09

The mission of the department is to strengthen the capacity of Derby's special education students and their families to access and acquire a Free Appropriate Education, FAPE.  Our system ensures that all identified students, ages 3-21, have equal access to developmentally appropriate, individually designed, least restrictive and integrated service delivery models that:

• foster student independence,
• develop socially appropriate behaviors,
• deliver services in natural settings
  • Least Restrictive Environment, (LRE)
• build mutual respect, and
• educate students to their maximum potential.

Upon referral, Derby's Special Education department evaluates student needs and eligibility for services.  Programs are designed to accomplish desired outcomes in each of the developmental domains; cognitive/academic, social/emotional, communication, fine/gross motor, adaptive/activities of daily living, and pre-vocational/vocational skill areas.  Children receive services and supports during the length of the eligibility period as defined by their Individual Educational Plans, IEPs.

Progress is measured through curriculum based assessment, standardized tests utilizing national norms, CMT scores, teacher designed assessment tools, etc.  Federal and state mandates regulate the day to day operation of the Derby programs.