[ Special Education Services ]

Integrated Classroom

Some preschool students with disabilities require the support of a special education teacher, and we provide an integrated setting with typically developing peers, for 3 1/2 hours daily. There are morning and afternoon sessions. The integrated classrooms use co-teaching, with a Head Start or UPK teacher, a Special Education Teacher, and a classroom Teaching Assistant.

The integrated classroom Special Education Teacher provides support and special instruction, and provides necessary accommodations in materials and activities. Children with disabilities work toward their IEP goals while they interact, learn, and play with other children their age. We develop individual behavior plans and a quiet "home base" area for the children who need extra reinforcement. We provide a great deal of structure for our children.

Speech/Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists provide services either in a pull-out or push-in manner, right there at the classroom.

Parents are always welcome in the classrooms, and are encouraged to call us to discuss questions and concerns.

At this time, we have four integrated classrooms at our Cherry Street site in Johnson City, two integrated classrooms at Horace Mann Elementary School in Binghamton, and two integrated classrooms at the CF Johnson Elementary School in Endicott. We also have two integrated classrooms in Cortland, with one at the YWCA and one at the Methodist Church, coordinated with Head Start classrooms.