Watervliet City Schools believes in placing students in programs that are in the least restrictive environment which is consistent with New York State Education Department (NYSED) regulations. This means that a student with disabilities is provided with special education and services to the maximum extent appropriate with other students who do not have disabilities and as close as possible to the student’s home.

Special education services are available to any student with a mental, physical or emotional impairment that affects his or her educational performance. For school-age children, this may include autism, deafness, deaf-blindness, emotional disturbance, hearing impairment, learning disability, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, or visual impairment (including blindness).

The Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) establishes a prominent and active role for parents and teachers in planning and implementing educational programs for students with disabilities. Parents work hand-in-hand with their child’s teachers and other district staff to formulate their child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP).