Program Overview

 Special Education

The Special Education Department of the Springfield Township School District supports the school district’s goal to create a caring and positive environment that encourages each student to develop his or her potential in academic, physical, social, emotional, cultural and moral aspects. We provide a variety of special education programs, which include pull-out resource rooms, in class resource rooms, a multiple disabilities self contained classroom, and a preschool disabled program located in a near by school district. The Special Education Department is committed to providing individual educational programs including modifications and supplementary aides and services to students whose unique needs extend beyond the regular education program.

Child Study Team

The Child Study Team is made up of specialists in the area of educational disabilities. Members of the Child Study Team include a school social worker, a speech and language specialist, a school psychologist, and a learning disabilities teacher consultant. Their responsibility is to identify, evaluate and determine whether a student is eligible for special education and related services. Other specialists in the area of educational disabilities include occupational therapists, physical therapists, and the school nurse. The Child Study Team works closely with school personnel and parents/guardians in the development of a student’s Individualized Education Program. (IEP)

When a  student displays academic, social, emotional, behavioral, or physical difficulties, a referral may be made to the Intervention and Referral Services Team by a parent or a Springfield staff member. If interventions are not successful, a request for a Child Study Team evaluation will be made. When such a referral is made, the parent/guardian has input and provides consent for the Child Study Team to complete an evaluation in order to determine eligibility for special education and related services.

A Child Study Team evaluation typically consists of a social history reported by the parent/guardian to the school social worker, an assessment of the student’s academic achievement by the learning disabilities teacher consultant, an evaluation of the child’s potential for learning and their learning characteristics by the school psychologist, and if needed, an assessment of a student’s expressive and receptive language skills by the speech and language specialist. Once a student is determined to be eligible for special education and related services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed. Placement options are considered with the least restrictive environment being the determining factor.

The Child Study Team has the responsibility of case managing for each student who receives special education services. They are responsible for monitoring the student’s progress and placement throughout the school year.