Special Education Services
PS 84 fosters an inclusive community of learners, integrating general education and special education students in all of our English-only classrooms in grades K-8.
Inclusion in schools promotes a single, integrated system of education which provides access and opportunity to all students. Inclusive classrooms cultivate empathy and understanding in environments where each child's unique thinking processes, social-emotional needs, strengths, talents, and interests are acknowledged, appreciated, and developed.
Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) Classes
Each integrated co-taught (ICT) class includes two teachers, one certified in general education, and one certified in special education. Teaching teams work together to provide seamless instruction that meets the needs of all of the children in the class within a general education, grade-appropriate framework.
Because ICT classes improve the student-to-teacher ratio, teachers are able to more readily determine students' strengths and areas of need, tailor their instruction accordingly, and improve outcomes for all students. In addition to the educational benefits of inclusion, students benefit socially as they participate in diverse classes which foster an appreciation for differences, and where all students are seen as full and accepted members of the school community.
Autism Nest Program ICT Classes
The Autism Nest Program is another inclusive setting available for our students. The Autism Nest Program supports higher-functioning children with autism and helps improve their academic, social, and behavioral functioning in school and in their communities.
Beginning in kindergarten, the Autism Nest Program classrooms are fully inclusive, reduced-size ICT classes, serving both general education students, and students with autism. These classes include grade-appropriate academic and specialized curricula, integrated therapeutic services, and instructional strategies in socialization, adaptive skills, language, and communication.
Related Services
(Under Construction)
Speech Services
Students with speech mandates receive services from our three full-time speech pathologists. Speech sessions may occur individually or in a small group setting, and may be delivered either as push-in or pull-out services. Subject to IEP mandates, speech pathologists support students with:
Auditory processing (understanding and using the sounds of language)
Phonological skills (organizing speech sounds)
Comprehension (understanding language)
Articulation (forming clear sounds in speech)
Social language skills