SPECIAL EDUCATION REFERENCE MANUAL - Rutherford Special Education Department - Mission Statement, Services, and Child Study Team Overview

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by SALUTone

Special Education Reference Manual from the Rutherford Special Education Department outlines the purpose of the Special Services Department and the mission to provide appropriate education for students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. It explains how families participate as key members of the IEP process, describes evaluation and intervention through the Child Study Team, and clarifies eligibility determination for educational disabilities. The manual also summarizes team composition, responsibilities, and program-planning collaboration across federal and New Jersey requirements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Mission Statement

Introduction

About Special Education Services

Evaluation and intervention process

IEP development and legal framework

About the Child Study Team

Team responsibilities and services

SPECIAL EDUCATION REFERENCE MANUAL Rutherford Special Education Department 109 Fairview Avenue Rutherford, New Jersey 07070 (201) 438-7675 ext. 7272 MISSION STATEMENT The purpose of the Special Services Department is to provide an appropriate education for students with disabilities, in the least restrictive environment, that will enable them to reach their potential, both academically and personally, and to become functioning members of society. To the maximum extent possible, students with disabilities will be provided the opportunity to be educated with age-appropriate non-disabled peers and will receive all necessary supports and services to benefit from their educational program. The Special Services Department includes special education teachers, child study team members, speech/language specialists, related services providers, and teacher assistants. Together we plan and provide educational programs for students with disabilities in partnership with regular education staff, administration and parents. We believe that each child has value and the ability to learn. It is our responsibility, along with the regular education staff, to foster within each child the belief in that value through discovering their talents, developing their skills, and encouraging self-confidence and independence. We believe that parents are a valuable and an essential part of the education process and that their aspirations for and insights about their children are important for us to understand as we plan together for their educational program. INTRODUCTION As the parent of a special education student, you are a key part of the process that provides an appropriate and caring educational experience for your child. You are the advocate who remains a constant in your child’s life as he or she progresses through the school system. This manual isan effort to provide parents with clear and accurate information that will help you work effectively with district personnel. It does not replace state laws and guidelines, which are detailed in separate handbooks that you will receive throughout your child’s education. ABOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES Evaluation and intervention services are provided to students by the Child Study Team, special education instructional staff, and related services specialists. A referral to the Child Study Team may be initiated by a parent/guardian, teacher, school nurse, school administrator, special services staff, medical specialist and other professionals or agencies concerned with the welfare of students when an educational disability may be suspected. Public schools are required by law to develop a process for identifying potentially educationally disabled students. An educationally disabled student is one who may be experiencing difficulties of a physical, emotional, academic, intellectual, or social nature to the extent that the student is not able to function effectively in a regular education program. A Child Study Team evaluation is necessary to determine the basis of the difficulties and whether the student is eligible for classification as educationally disabled. If the student is determined to be educationally disabled, an Individualized Education Plan ( IEP) is developed to provide an appropriate special education program based upon the nature and severity of the educational disability. With federal passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act ( IDEIA) in December 2004 , parents/guardians are an integral part of the IEP Team that plans an appropriate school program and an IEP for the educationally disabled child. Parents and school personnel work together throughout this process in developing an appropriate program to meet the unique student needs. The district provides the full continuum of programs options as outlined in the New Jersey Administrative code ( NJAC 6A: 14) . The complete rules and regulations pertaining to Child Study Team procedures and students w

FAQs

What is the mission of the Special Services Department?

The mission is to provide an appropriate education for students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment so they can reach their academic and personal potential and become functioning members of society.

How does a student become evaluated through the Child Study Team?

A referral can be initiated by a parent/guardian, teacher, school nurse, school administrator, special services staff, medical specialist, or other concerned professionals when an educational disability is suspected.

What role do parents/guardians play in the IEP process?

Parents/guardians are an integral part of the IEP Team under IDEIA and work with school personnel throughout the process to develop an appropriate program based on the student’s unique needs.

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by SALUTone