Student Support Services helps to fulfill the district’s vision by providing equitable access to services and programs that support the academic, behavioral, social, emotional and health needs of all students in promoting an equitable community of lifelong learners. The programs and services that are provided in our department’s continuum of services range from prevention to intervention, and mandated services.
Departments that fall under the umbrella of Student Support Services include:
- Committee on Special Education (CSE), (Special Education Services for kindergarten-grade 12, plus post-grad to age 21)
- Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE), (Ages 3-5)
- Early Intervention Services
- English as a New Language
- Extended School Year (ESY), (Summer Programming)
- Health and Safety Coordinator
- Homeless/McKinney-Vento and Foster Services
- Mental Health/Counseling/Social-Emotional Learning
- Migrant Children & Families
- Occupational Therapists
- Other related services: Assistive Technology (AT), Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing (TOD), Orientation and Mobility (OM), Teacher of Visually Impaired (TVI)
- Physical Therapists
- Registration
- School Counselors
- School Health/Nursing Services
- School Physician
- School Psychologists
- School Social Workers
- Special Education (School Age)
- Speech and Language Pathologists
- Student Residency
Who Do I Contact When I Have an Issue?
Our goal is to address questions and concerns quickly and effectively. Consult our Communications Guide to learn who is best to contact first on any issue.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
MTSS is a school-wide approach used to make sure all students get the right level of support to succeed academically, socially and emotionally. NCSD uses data to identify student needs early and provide increasing levels of support, from general classroom instruction to more targeted or intensive help, depending on what each student needs
Areas of Disabilities
Learn about the various areas of disabilities that can affect a student’s educational performance or that may qualify a student for special education services.
Glossary of Terms/Definitions
Specific special education terms and definitions are used by the district to help families and educators understand key language related to services, supports, assessments, placements, and legal processes in special education.
Getting Started in the Special Education Process
There are steps for referring a child for evaluation, how eligibility is determined, how an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed, and what happens after eligibility is established, including evaluations and annual reviews.
- Learn more on the Getting Started in the Special Education Process page.
More information
Special Education Parent Teacher Association
The Niskayuna Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) is a group of parents, teachers, administrators, and students that work together to build inclusiveness, acceptance, support, and communication for special education.