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Special Education Program Profiles

ERCSD offers the entire New York State Continuum of Special Education Services. We pride ourselves on maintaining our students in their least restrictive environment with supports needed to succeed.

SOAR: Social-Communications Opportunities & Awareness Response Program

What qualifies a student for the SOAR Program?

Needs support in socialization and communication
A significant delay in speech and language or is nonverbal
Limited language and communication skills
Has difficulty learning in large group settings
Requires a modified curriculum
Requires small group instruction

The SOAR Classroom Setting

This program is designed to meet the individual needs of students with social and communication delays for children ages 5-21.
There are two different settings within the social communications program that offer a low student to teacher ratio. Placement in either an 8:1:2 or 12:1:2 class based on the level of support that is needed.
Social skills instruction is broken down into small components

New learning targets are introduced as skills are mastered
Daily progress monitoring
Explicit Instruction
Behavior consultations
Visual schedules to foster independence and support with transitions
Sensory Experiences

Language and picture-rich environment
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Adapted instructional materials
Visual supports
Programmatic access to Assistive Technology supports
Adaptive seating and equipment
Universal Design for Learning

The 12:1:2 SOAR Academic Program

Follows Common Core Curriculum with modified lessons
IEPs and goals align to common core standards and provide accommodations that address student needs while preserving the rigor of the standards
Strengthen students’ academic vocabulary and executive functioning skills

Direct Instruction (through different modalities)
- 1:1 instruction
- Small group instruction
- Whole-class instruction
Individual focus on IEP-goals through a variety of research-based strategies
Differentiated Instruction
Language Based Instruction

Integrated Therapy Sessions
Tiered literacy program, including Orton-Gillingham and Lexia based on individual student needs
Ongoing IEP Progress Monitoring
DATA Collection
- Fall, Winter & Spring Formal Assessments
Ongoing formative & summative assessments on student progress

The 8:1:2 SOAR Academic Program

Follows the Unique Learning System curriculum. A standards and research-based system specifically designed for students with special needs that is aligned with the general education curriculum. Unique Incorporates:
- Universal Monthly Themes
- Exposure to Worldly Concepts and Skills
- Letter, Color, Number & Word of the week

Direct Instruction (through different modalities)
- 1:1 instruction
- Small group instruction
- Whole-class instruction
Individual focus on IEP-goals through a variety of research-based strategies
Differentiated Instruction
Language Based Instruction
Ongoing IEP Progress Monitoring

Integrated Therapy Sessions
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP)
DATA Collection
- Fall, Winter & Spring Formal Assessments
Ongoing formative & summative assessments on student progress

LEAP: Lifelong Experiences & Academics Program

What qualifies a student for the LEAP Program?

A delay in speech and language or nonverbal
Limited language and communication skills
Has difficulty learning in large group settings
Student needs life skills support for transition into independent living/career exploration
Students are developmentally appropriate for an adaptive curriculum with exposure to the general education
Requires small group instruction

The LEAP Classroom Setting

This program is designed to meet the individual needs of students with multiple disabilities for children ages 5-21.
There are three different settings within the LEAP program that offer a low student to teacher ratio. Placement in either an 8:1:2, 12:1:2, or 12:1:4 class based on the level of support that is needed.
Life skills instruction is broken down into small components

New learning targets are introduced as skills are mastered
Daily progress monitoring
Explicit Instruction
Behavior consultations
Visual schedules to foster independence and support with transitions
Sensory Experiences

Language and picture-rich environment
Visual supports
Adapted instructional materials
Community Based Instruction
Programmatic access to Assistive Technology supports
Adaptive seating and equipment
Universal Design for Learning

The 8:1:2 LEAP Academic Program

Follows the Unique Learning System curriculum. A standards and research-based system specifically designed for students with special needs that is aligned with the general education curriculum. Unique Incorporates:
- Universal Monthly Themes
- Exposure to Worldly Concepts and Skills
- Letter, Color, Number & Word of the week

Direct Instruction (through different modalities)
- 1:1 instruction
- Small group instruction
- Whole-class instruction
Individual focus on IEP-goals through a variety of research-based strategies
Differentiated Instruction
Language Based Instruction
Ongoing IEP Progress Monitoring

Integrated Related Services
Community & Work Based Learning
DATA Collection
- Fall, Winter & Spring Formal Assessments
Ongoing formative & summative assessments on student progress

The 12:1:2 LEAP Academic Program

Follows Common Core Curriculum with modified lessons
IEPs and goals align to common core standards and provide accommodations that address student needs while preserving the rigor of the standards
Strengthen students’ academic vocabulary and executive functioning skills

Direct Instruction (through different modalities)
- 1:1 instruction
- Small group instruction
- Whole-class instruction
Individual focus on IEP-goals through a variety of research-based strategies
Differentiated Instruction
Language Based Instruction
Ongoing IEP Progress Monitoring

Integrated Related Service
Community & Work Based Learning
DATA Collection
- Fall, Winter & Spring Formal Assessments
Ongoing formative & summative assessments on student progress

The 12:1:4 LEAP 2 MOVE Academic Program

Follows the Unique Learning System curriculum. A standards and research-based system specifically designed for students with special needs that is aligned with the general education curriculum. Unique Incorporates:
- Universal Monthly Themes
- Exposure to Worldly Concepts and Skills
- Letter, Color, Number & Word of the week

Direct Instruction (through different modalities)
- 1:1 instruction
- Small group instruction
- Whole-class instruction
Individual focus on IEP-goals through a variety of research-based strategies
Differentiated Instruction
Language Based Instruction
Ongoing IEP Progress Monitoring

Integrated Related Services
Community & Work Based Learning
Emphasis on the development of gross motor skills to foster independence through the MOVE program
DATA Collection
- Fall, Winter & Spring Formal Assessments
Ongoing formative & summative assessments on student progress

CHAMP: Collaborative Health & Academics Medical Program

What qualifies a student for the CHAMP Program?

Student with profound global delays
Significant medical needs which require ongoing skilled nursing staff
Need for intensive daily habilitation and/or treatment
Has difficulty learning in large group settings
Student requires an individual instructional plan
Requires a modified curriculum
Requires small group instruction

The CHAMP Classroom Settings

This program is designed to meet the individual needs of students with profound global delays as well as ongoing medical and/or habilitation needs, for children ages 5-21.

There are two different settings within the CHAMP program that offer a low student to teacher ratio. Placement in either a 12:1:4 (CHAMP Medical) or the 8:1:4 (CHAMP 2 MOVE) class is based on the level of support that is needed.

Embedded medical and/or habilitation services (nursing, feeding, physical therapy, etc.)
Explicit instruction
Integrated Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy
Related services and consultations
Visual schedules to foster independence and support with transitions

Language and picture-rich environment
Visual and tactile supports
Adapted instructional materials
Programmatic access to assistive technology supports
Adaptive seating and equipment
Universal Design for Learning
Sensory Experiences

The 12:1:4 CHAMP MEDICAL Academic Program

Follows the Unique Learning System curriculum. A standards and research-based system specifically designed for students with special needs that is aligned with the general education curriculum. Unique Incorporates:
- Universal Monthly Themes
- Exposure to Worldly Concepts and Skills
- Letter, Color, Number & Word of the week

Direct Instruction (through different modalities)
- 1:1 instruction
- Small group instruction
- Whole-class instruction
Individual focus on IEP-goals through a variety of research-based strategies

Differentiated and Multimodal Instruction

Ongoing IEP Progress Monitoring

Integrated Related Services
Nurse in the classroom to support medical needs in a least restrictive environment
DATA Collection
- Fall, Winter & Spring Formal Assessments
Ongoing formative & summative assessments on student progress

The 12:1:4 CHAMP 2 MOVE Academic Program

Follows the Unique Learning System curriculum. A standards and research-based system specifically designed for students with special needs that is aligned with the general education curriculum. Unique Incorporates:
- Universal Monthly Themes
- Exposure to Worldly Concepts and Skills
- Letter, Color, Number & Word of the week

Direct Instruction (through different modalities)
- 1:1 instruction
- Small group instruction
- Whole-class instruction
Individual focus on IEP-goals through a variety of research-based strategies
Differentiated and Multimodal Instruction
Ongoing IEP Progress Monitoring

Integrated Related Services
Emphasis on the development of gross motor skills to foster independence
DATA Collection
- Fall, Winter & Spring Formal Assessments
Ongoing formative & summative assessments on student progress

BAM

What qualifies a student for the BAM Program?

Needs intensive support in socialization and behavior management
Has difficulty learning in large group settings
Requires a modified curriculum
Requires small group instruction

The BAM Classroom Setting
The 12:1:2 BAM Academic Program

The BAM Classroom Setting

This program is designed to meet the individual needs of students with behavior management needs for children ages 5-21.
The behavior management classroom setting offers a low 12:1:2 student ratio.
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
New learning targets are introduced as skills are mastered

Daily progress monitoring
Explicit Instruction

Behavior plans and consultations
Visual schedules to foster independence and support with transitions
Proactive supports to prevent problem behaviors

Language and picture-rich environment
Project Based Learning

Visual and tactile supports
Programmatic access to Assistive Technology
Adapted instructional materials
Universal Design for Learning

The 12:1:2 BAM Academic Program

Follows Next Generation Standards tailored curriculum with modified lessons
IEPs and goals align to common core standards and provide accommodations that address student needs while preserving the rigor of the standards

Strengthen students’ academic vocabulary and executive functioning skills

Direct Instruction (through different modalities)
- 1:1 instruction
- Small group instruction
- Whole-class instruction
Individual focus on IEP-goals through a variety of research-based strategies
Differentiated and Multimodal Instruction

Integrated Therapy Sessions
Emphasis on self regulation strategies and programs to help develop better coping and behavior skills in school

Ongoing IEP Progress Monitoring

DATA Collection
- Fall, Winter & Spring Formal Assessments
Ongoing formative & summative assessments on student progress