Special Education Department


f


Home Calendar Library Guidance Departments Activities Athletics Community	SPECIAL EDUCATION The faculty and staff at Pelham High School is committed to and concerned with meeting the needs of students challenged by physical, emotional and/or learning disabilities. The Special Education Department specializes in coordinating academic support for students with specific learning needs. Our goal is to make sure that each student in the program achieves their own personal best during their high school years and beyond.
	Teachers
	Stephen Scaer Academic Dean Elaine French Special Educator Valerie Morse Inclusion Facilitator Diane Bolduc Special Education Counselor Sandra Lyon Special Educator
	Courses Offered
	Basic English Reading Basic Math I Basic Math II Making a Special Education Referral What is a special education referral? A special education referral is a written statement indicating a child might have a disability that interferes with learning and might need special education services. Who can make a referral? In addition to a child's parent or guardian, a teacher may make a referral or the child may refer himself or herself. Anyone who is familiar with the child, such as his or her physician, therapist, or a judicial officer, may also make a referral. Classroom teachers are encouraged to seek help for students through the Student Assistance Team before making a special education referral. How can I refer my child? The Referral for Special Education form is available through the Pelham High School Special Education Department, 635-6901; however, any written and signed request for an evaluation will be treated as a referral. The referral should be given to the school principal. For reasons of confidentiality, the district will not accept electronic referrals. What information should be included in the referral? The referral should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person making the referral and of the child being referred. The referral should also indicate why the student seems to need special education intervention, his or her strengths, what steps have already been taken to help the child, and any special circumstances, such as medical or family concerns, that might help explain the child's learning problems. Who decides whether to evaluate a student? When the principal receives a referral, she designates a special education teacher to coordinate a Disposition of Referral meeting within 15 days. This meeting should include the parent or guardian, a special education teacher, at least one classroom teacher of the child, and the child, if appropriate. Others may be included at the request of the school district or the parent. The team, including the parent or guardian, will discuss whether testing is warranted. The team will also consider whether the concerns raised in the referral can be addressed through regular education services. If team members agree testing is needed, the assigned special education teacher holds an Evaluation Planning Meeting. The team discusses the suspected disability and then seeks the parent or adult student's permission for the most appropriate testing. The tests administered will vary according to the needs of the child. Parents will also receive a copy of the New Hampshire Procedural Rights for Special Education, which provides more specific details of procedures and describes how to resolve a disagreement.