The South Orangetown Central School District's Special Education is committed to promoting, supporting, encouraging and facilitating initiatives that create one unified education system Pre K - 12 which supports district goals to generate positive outcomes for all students.

BELIEFS

1. The district is committed to meeting the special needs of all children by offering a continuum of services. Our goal is to maximize opportunities for students in mainstream classes with the understanding that some children need "special school" placements, while others should be fully included. In addition, we support these ongoing initiatives. 

a. Accountability for all students be guaranteed through a system of unified outcomes.

b. A unified system of education integrating regular education and special education must be strived for.

c. Educators are prepared to educate all students entrusted to them. Staff development prioritizes empowering educators as problems solvers, fosters continuous improvement, and sharing resources.

2. The district believes that we need to eliminate boundaries wherever possible between special education and regular education in philosophy, programs, and services.

3. Parents are partners in planning and designing educational opportunities and programs for all children in the district.

4. Funding must support a unified system.