6171.1(a)

Instruction
Special Education
Continuum of Services for Students with Disabilities

The Board of Education recognizes each student is unique, and, although for most students the core educational program is appropriate, some students have exceptional needs that cannot be met without additional special services. Therefore, the district shall provide special programs and services for all students whether these needs are academic, physical, emotional, psychological, or sociological.

Special education is a service delivery system that is responsive to the unique needs of each student, as such needs are determined by the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) and addressed in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The goal of the Hamden Public Schools is to provide a continuum of services and placements to meet the needs of children with disabilities for special education and related services. The creation of educational programming for students with disabilities shall be determined on an individual basis by the Planning and Placement Team.

The Hamden Public Schools follows the least restrictive environment (LRE) mandate as a means to achieve the appropriate goal of a unified education system for all students. The school system shall strive to include students with disabilities, to the maximum extent appropriate in supported, heterogeneous, age-appropriate, student-centered classrooms. A major benefit of including the students with disabilities in educational settings with their non-disabled peers is to help prepare all students for their future participation in a diverse and integrated society.

Legal Reference:        10-76a Definitions. (as amended by PA 00-48)

10-76b State supervision of special education programs and services.
10-76c Receipt and use of money and personal property.
10-76d Duties and powers of boards of education to provide special education programs and services. (as amended by PA 97-114 and PA 00-48)
10-76e School construction grant for cooperative regional special education facilities.
10-76f Definition of terms used in formula for state aid for special education.
10-76g State aid for special education.
6171.1(b)
10-76h Special education hearing and review procedure. Mediation of disputes. (as amended by PA 00-48)
10-76i Advisory council for special education.
10-76j Five-year plan for special education.
10-76k Development of experimental educational programs. State Board of Education Regulations
10-76m Auditing claims for special education assistance
10-76a-1 et seq. Definitions (as amended by PA 00-48)
10-76b-1 through 10-76b-4 Supervision and administration
10-76d-1 through 10-76d-19 Conditions of instruction
10-76h-1 through 10-76h-2 Due process
10-76l-1 Program Evaluation
10-145a-24 through 10-145a-31 Special Education (re teacher certification)
10-264l Grants for the operation of interdistrict magnet school programs.
34 C.F.R. 3000 Assistance to States for Education for Handicapped Children.
American with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §1400 et seq.
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, 29 U.S.C. §794.