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Reference Guide to the Special Education Process

South Orange & Maplewood Board of Education

The Special Education Reference Guide offers a clear overview of the special education process in the South Orange & Maplewood School District, guiding families and staff from initial intervention through the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). 

Public school districts are legally required to maintain a clear process for identifying and supporting students whose educational needs cannot be fully met in a general education setting without specialized instruction or related services. In the South Orange & Maplewood School District, Child Study Teams—comprised of professionals such as a school psychologist, learning disabilities teacher consultant, school social worker, and when appropriate, related service providers—evaluate students ages 3 through 21, determine eligibility, and develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for those who qualify.

Services are delivered along a continuum of supports with a strong commitment to the least restrictive environment, ensuring students participate in general education to the greatest extent appropriate. This guide outlines district procedures, but all decisions are governed by New Jersey Administrative Code Title 6A, Chapter 14, which takes precedence.

Click Here To Download "A Guide to the Special Education Process"

Public schools are required by law to develop a process for identifying potentially educationally disabled students. An educationally disabled student is one who may not be able to function effectively in a general education program. Special classes and support programs are located throughout the district over a continuum of supports. The goal of the South Orange Maplewood School District Office of Special Services to have student participation in the general education program as the least restrictive environment.

Schools throughout the district are assigned the services of a Child Study Team (CST) consisting of the school psychologist, learning disabilities teacher consultant (LDT-C), and school social worker. Sometimes, a speech and language specialist, occupational therapist, or physical therapist are included as part of the team, if appropriate. The CST evaluates and determines eligibility of students for special education and related services; coordinates the development of various aspects of the individualized educational programs; delivers related services to educationally disabled students; provides support to the general education programs regarding techniques, materials, and programs for students experiencing learning difficulties.

This resource is provided as a guide for the provision of special education and related services for students in the South Orange Maplewood School District. This document is not intended, nor should it be construed, as defining the legal basis of special education identification, evaluation, and/or placement. New Jersey Administrative Code Title 6A: Chapter 14: Special Education Law takes precedence.

The South Orange Maplewood School District Office of Special Services, through its child study teams, has the responsibility of evaluating students to determine eligibility for special education and/or related services. The CST is a multidisciplinary educational team that is responsible to identify, evaluate, determine eligibility, and develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students suspected of having educational disabilities. The team provides evaluations, programs, and services to children from age 3 to 21 that have been identified as having a disability that affects their education. In order to become eligible to receive special education services, a student must be evaluated and determined eligible by an IEP team.