Special Education Services

Philosophy

The Simsbury Board of Education is responsible for providing a free, appropriate public education for all students including those students with disabilities ages three to twenty-one. The Department of Special Services, in coordination with each building principal, is responsible for the overall referral, identification and programming for children and youth with disabilities who require special education instruction and related special services.

The Simsbury Public School system is committed to educating students with disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). This means, to the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities are educated with students who are not disabled and in their neighborhood schools, whenever possible. It also means that special classes, separate schooling or other removal of students with disabilities occurs only when the nature and severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplemental aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

The Simsbury Public Schools is also committed to the concept of inclusion. While we believe that students with disabilities should be educated in regular education classrooms in inclusive neighborhood schools and community settings, we also believe that a continuum of placement options must be available to meet the unique and individual needs of students.