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Dr. Shannon Miller
518-537-6281 ext. 2309
smiller@germantowncsd.org

Briana Anderson, Secretary
518-537-6281 ext. 2309
banderson@germantowncsd.org
 

The Germantown Central School District is committed to growth for all students, including those with disabilities. The Office of Special Education Services is here to ensure your understanding of the special education process that, at times, can appear overwhelming. Your child’s education is our highest priority, and you are encouraged to contact this office with questions that are not readily answered by this website. Parents and families are critical partners, along with school personnel, in the education of children and our staff is here to assist you.

Special education means specially designed instruction or services to meet the identified needs of students with disabilities. While good teachers and good schools continuously individualize programs to meet the needs of students, special education is a more formal and comprehensive process of five basic steps:

  1. Referral for Special Education
  2. Individual Evaluation
  3. Determination of Eligibility for Special Education Services
  4. Individual Education Programming
  5. Annual review and triennial reevaluation
     

If you feel that your child is having difficulties in school and maybe a student with a disability, first speak to your child’s teacher. Our schools offer many supports for students within regular education, such as counseling, speech and language services, curriculum and instructional modifications, and Academic Intervention Services. Not all school problems are a result of a disability. School counselors, psychologists, and principals are aware of the school’s support services and can help match student’s needs to services. While a parent always has the right to refer their child to the Committee on Special Education, we attempt to serve students through regular education programs before determining that the child is unable to make adequate progress in a program designed for typically developing students.