Special Education means specially designed individualized or group instruction or special services or programs to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities.  Special education services and programs are provided at no cost to the parent.

Office of Special Education & Special Services

Mission Statement

     The Smithtown Central School District believes that every student is entitled to an appropriate educational experience.  It is our mission to inform you of the range of educational programs and services that we provide. 

It is our practice that each special education student be educated in the least restrictive environment. 

Every student needing special education programming/services must be provided such services with minimal displacement from his/her regular classroom situation. 

We believe that students and their parents must be viewed as active participants in the planning process.  

Parents are encouraged to actively participate in the educational process.  It is the school's responsibility to inform parents of their rights. 

Parents must give their consent for formal evaluation by the school and should be invited to participate in any conferences held on behalf of their child. 

Further, parents must be provided with written notice regarding the Committee on Special Education (CSE) and Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) determinations. 

If parents disagree with the CSE/CPSE determinations, the parent is entitled to due process. 

They may request special education mediation and/or an impartial hearing.

The following outlines the general objectives of the Office of Special Education & Special Services:

Every student who is the legal responsibility of the Smithtown School District will receive a free and appropriate public education. 

Students are eligible to receive educational services until the completion of the school year of their 21st birthday or until the attainment of a local/regents diploma, whichever occurs earlier.

The determination of the CSE/CPSE will be consistent with the continuum of services outlined in the Commissioner's Regulations and be based on such items as: chronological age; learning rate; academic functioning; social/emotional development; physical development; and management needs.

Every disabled student will be educated in his/her least restrictive environment, and have access to the full range of programs and services available to their non-disabled peers.

Every disabled student has the right to participate in extra-curricular activities to the extent appropriate to their individual physical abilities.

Every disabled student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be reviewed at least annually.

The school will involve students, their parents and staff from both general and special education in the education process, including participation in advisory groups determining the future direction of special education programs and services. 

Home                Administration                  Mission Statement                Programs and Services               Parent Corner         SEPTA         Parent Workshops