Director of Special Education
Jessica Allen
Phone:  518-881-3413
Email: allenje@schenectadyschools.org

What is Special Education?
Special education" means specially designed instruction which includes special services or programs and transportation, provided at no cost to the parents to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. A "child with a disability" (or "student with a disability") means a person under the age of twenty-one who is entitled to attend public schools , because of mental, physical or emotional reasons can only receive appropriate educational opportunities from a program of special education. Such term does not include a child whose educational needs are due primarily to unfamiliarity with the English language, environmental, cultural or economic factors. Lack of instruction in reading or mathematics or limited English proficiency shall not be the determinant factor in identifying a student as a student with a disability.

Children with disabilities are eligible for special education and related services when they meet the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  IDEA provides 13 disability categories under which a child may be found eligible for special education or related services. 

These include:

• Autism

• Deaf-blindness

• Deafness

• Developmental delay

• Emotional disturbance

• Hearing impairment

• Intellectual disability

• Multiple disabilities

• Orthopedic impairment

• Other health impairment

• Specific learning disability

• Speech or language impairment

• Traumatic brain injury

• Visual impairment, including blindness

If you believe your child may qualify for special education services or have questions about the evaluation process please contact your school's psychologist. See School Psychologist Directory

Check out this page for more parent, guardian, and caregiver resources.