One purpose of Special Education is to identify those students who are not able to meet the academic expectations of the general education curriculum due to a learning profile that interferes with their ability.  Once identified as a student with a disability, Special Education provides individualized services in order to “level the playing field,” thereby enhancing the possibility that those students will meet the same high standards as their peers.  Access to general education, at an appropriate level, is one key to the provision of services and the philosophy of “Least Restrictive Environment” ensures that students are educated in the setting closest to that of their peers that also meets their individual needs.

One difficulty that presents itself in a smaller district, such as Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD, is that of similar grouping.  While it is always our goal to keep students in their home school, for students whose needs require programming in a more specialized setting, at times classroom placements are contracted with BOCES in component school districts so that students with similar needs can be educated together.  However, the small nature of our district also affords us the opportunity for greater continuity of service; when moving from one grade span to the next, communication about students’ needs occurs naturally.  It is the staunch commitment of everyone in the department to address the needs of our students in the most effective manner possible.