The summary provided here is a brief introduction to special services. The menu to the left lists related services.

What are special services?
Who is eligible to receive special services?
How does a child become eligible to receive services?
What is an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)?

What are special services?

Special services are governed by the New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 6A, Chapter 14, Special Education. These services are designed to meet the special needs of students who may be experiencing difficulty in accessing the general education curriculum or experiencing difficulty in adjusting fully to the daily requirements of the general classroom environment. Emphasis is placed upon offering services that are responsive to a student’s individual learning style and educational disability.

There are many professionals who provide services for students identified with special needs. These professionals include special education teachers, a Learning Disability Teacher-Consultant, a School Psychologist, a School Social Worker, Speech/Language Therapists, an Occupational Therapist, a Physical Therapist, and classroom aides.

Who is eligible for special services?

Any child between the ages of 3 and 21, whose parents are legal residents of Bedminster Township is a potential candidate for services if they have a disability or are suspected of having a disability as outlined in the New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 6A, Chapter 14, Special Education.

How does a child become eligible to receive services?

A child may be referred for a Child Study Team evaluation based on a written request from a parent, teacher, counselor, school administrator, or the Intervention and Referral Services committee. A referral is recommended when a child displays severe difficulty in the general education classroom due to potential learning disabilities, behavioral/social difficulties, chronic illness, or other emotional, neurological, intellectual, or communication difficulties.

After a referral is received, an initial planning meeting is held to establish whether an evaluation is warranted. Parents participate in this initial meeting with the Child Study Team, other specialists, if needed, and the child’s classroom teacher. If there is an agreement to conduct an evaluation, parents provide written consent regarding the nature and scope of the evaluation before it is conducted.

The evaluation, which includes review of relevant data and standardized tests, other assessments, if needed, an observation, and interviews with parents and classroom teachers, determines whether the child meets the eligibility requirements of a disability as defined by the New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 6A, Chapter 14, Special Education. If the evaluation determines that a child does have a disability, another meeting is scheduled to develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to address the child’s needs. A full continuum of programs and services are available in the Bedminster Township School District to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

What is an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)?

An IEP is a written plan that describes the child’s current performance, a specific course of action appropriate for the child, and measurable goals or benchmarks. Parents attend all IEP meetings and provide written approval for the initial IEP before it is implemented.

A member of the Child Study Team serves as case manager and monitors the child’s progress. The IEP is reviewed and updated annually or more often, if needed.