Putnam Valley Central School District

Special Education Classes at PVCSD

Our New Horizons classes service students with significant communication disorders, developmental disabilities and children with autism spectrum disorders. These classes are designed to meet the individual needs of each student, within a structured environment. Students are also scheduled into their age/grade appropriate general education classes when appropriate.

We currently have two New Horizons classes at our elementary school, and one at our middle school. Each classroom has a special education teacher and up to two teacher aides.

Our Achieve classes service students with special learning and behavior needs at both our elementary and middle school. This program is based on a Responsibility Education model and is designed to help students take effective control of their lives. Counseling is incorporated into the program to address behavioral and social needs. Parent information and education are also provided when needed.

Our Achieve program students are mainstreamed, as appropriate, into special areas and academic subjects.

We currently house two Achieve classes at both our elementary and middle school. At the elementary school age level, there is a special education teacher and a teacher's aide with a maximum of 8 students in each class. At the middle school level, instruction is provided in the academic subjects for those students who require a modified and adapted curriculum within a small group setting. These classes are limited to no more than 12 students with a special education teacher and teacher aide.

Our Learn class, housed in our high school, services students who require a specialized individual life skills program in a small class setting. The focus of this class is practical math, reading and social skills that students will need in order for them to transition smoothly from the school setting to post-school life. This class is limited to no more than 8 students with a special education teacher and 2 teacher aides.

The PASS Program (Prepare and Support Students) meets the needs of our high school student population. The program currently houses students with various learning and emotional needs with the support of a special education teacher and a teacher's aide. There is also a school psychologist assigned to work within the program to support students. Students participate in mainstream elective classes when possible. The focus of the program is on Responsibility Education. The teachers and support staff have been specifically trained in this educational philosophy, which advocates self-management skills for the students in various activities that make up their lives.

Class size is limited to no more than 12 students with a special education teacher and a teacher's aide. Each special education teacher teaches multi-level classes (Regents and Local diploma) within his/her discipline.