Welcome to the West Genesee Special Education Department
 

The Department of Special Education for the West Genesee School District works throughout the year to meet the needs of students identified with an educational disability and are supported by an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). We make every effort to educate our students in the least restrictive environment as possible, although at times, that may require an alternate setting. Ultimately, it is our goal to assure that all students exit our programs with the ability to (as independently as possible) be an integral and productive member of their community.

 

Support is provided for eligible students beginning at age three through high school commencement or the year in which the student turns age 21. We work with the Onondaga County Department of Health to provide programs and services for children ages three- five, who qualify under the Committee on Pre-School Special Education. A continuum of services is provided for the vast majority of our students, K-12, within district programs. A small percentage of our students require more intensive support than can be provided within our district. Therefore, we work collaboratively with the Onondaga –Cortland –Madison BOCES to identify the most appropriate program to meet the student’s needs, and utilize the BOCES programs that are available to us.

 

The Committee on Special Education (CSE) or the Committee on Pre-school Special Education (CPSE) meets at a minimum, annually, to review a student’s progress based on the IEP goals. Based on that progress and the student’s present levels of performance, goals are re-established and then it is determined what program and services are required to meet those IEP goals. At times, regular education support programs may also be the most appropriate level of support for students with disabilities.

 

Our program models will exemplify the district’s mission “to ensure that each student attains the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary, not only for life long learning, but also for becoming a cooperative, self-directed, productive, caring citizen through outcome based programs utilizing a variety of effective teaching strategies and methods in a safe, supportive environment.”