Alden Central School District

The Alden Central School District is committed to providing all students with a free and appropriate public education. The District offers special education services and supports, access to supplementary aids, and alternative programs.

Special Education consists of specially designed instruction for students (ages 3-21 years) who have been identified by either the District’s Committee on Preschool Education (CPSE) or the Committee on Special Education (CSE) as having a disability which interferes with learning. These multidisciplinary teams of parents and professionals are responsible for determining eligibility, coordinating evaluations, and recommending programs or services. Members of the committee include the child’s parent(s), a school psychologist, a special education teacher, a general education teacher, a parent of a child with a disability (for full, not sub-committees), and an administrator. Additional professionals, such as a building principal, speech/language pathologist, and the school physician, may also participate.

The committees, appointed by and responsible to the Board of Education, hold meetings on a regular basis. The District is committed to identifying children with disabilities and providing appropriate services and supports within the least restrictive environment. Should you suspect your child has a disability, please contact your building principal or the Office of Student and Staff Learning at (716) 937-9116 (Extension 3000).

In addition, all children receiving special education services are entitled to review at least once yearly. The purpose of the annual review is to recommend the continuation, modification, or termination of the provision of special education programs and supports. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend these meetings, typically held at the child’s school of attendance.

Consistent with the District's policy against discrimination on the basis of disability, students with special needs who do not required special education services may receive accommodations and/or related services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Director of Student and Staff Learning serves as the District's Section 504 ADA Coordinator.

The Alden Central School District works collaboratively with parents as well as non-public schools within our geographic boundaries to locate, evaluate, and identify children suspected of having a disability. These Child Find provisions extend to all resident and non-resident students attending schools within the District. Children who are homeless or are considered wards of the state are also entitled to these services.