West Deptford Special Education
Classification categories – when students are determined that they are “Eligible for Special Education and Related Services” they are also provided with a classification category and placed in a special education program.
Please note that categories and programs could be different.
Special Education Programs
In-class resource - An in-class resource program (ICR) is a type of special education service designed to support students with disabilities in the general education classroom. It's often used as part of a school's commitment to providing education in the least restrictive environment (LRE), which means students should be educated alongside their non-disabled peers whenever possible.
Pull-out resource program - A special education pull-out resource program is a method of providing special education services where students with disabilities are taken out of their general education classroom for a portion of the school day. This is done to provide them with specialized, small-group or one-on-one instruction from a special education teacher in a separate setting, often called a "resource room."
A self-contained special education program is an educational placement where a student with a disability receives all or most of their academic instruction in a separate classroom with other students who have similar special needs. This is considered a more restrictive environment than an in-class resource or pull-out program because the student spends the majority of their school day isolated from their general education peers.
Key Characteristics:
- Separate Classroom: The program operates in its own classroom, with a curriculum, schedule, and environment specifically designed for the students' needs.
- Specialized Staff: The classroom is taught by a special education teacher, often with the support of one or more paraprofessionals or teacher's aides.
- Targeted Instruction: The curriculum is highly individualized and modified to address the specific academic, behavioral, social, or functional goals outlined in each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
- Small Class Size: These classrooms typically have a smaller student-to-staff ratio, allowing for more one-on-one attention and personalized support.
- Types of self-contained education program:There are different types of self-contained programs (ex. Preschool Child with a Disability, Multiply Disabled, Language/Learning Disabled)
Unique West Deptford Program: The WIN Program (What I Need)
The WIN program is a specialized self-contained program designed to meet complex student needs.
- Classification: It is designated as a portion of the district's Multiply Disabled (MD) programs.
- Focus Shift: While originally designed for students with an autism diagnosis, placement is now based on a student's overall profile and needs, not just a specific diagnosis.
- Programmatic Focus:
- Communication: Utilizes specific teaching methods to increase expressive (speaking/outputting) and receptive (understanding) language.
- Behavioral Support: Provides integrated, programmatic access to behavior support for students who present with challenges.