Special Education Program Descriptions and Locations
The Bridgeton Public School District consists of schools with a variety of programs however; not all programs are available at each school. The programs are as follows.
Preschool Disabilities
Geraldyn O. Foster Early Childhood Center
This program is a full-day program and it serves students between the ages of three and five. It is a centered based program where children can achieve success in the development of language, cognitive, motor, social/emotional, self-help and pre-academic skills. Opportunities for inclusion are available daily as the PSD students are included in the regular preschool classes. PSD students are supported in inclusion settings by instructional aides and a certified teacher of the handicapped. In-Class Support is provided to identified Preschool Disabled students based on the student's IEP. Related services offered include speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. An extended school year is available based on the student's IEP.
Multiple Disabilities Programs
Bridgeton High School, Buckshutem Road School, Quarter Mile Lane School, and West Avenue School
The self-contained program is for students with moderate to severe disabilities. It allows them the opportunity to take all of their core content areas within a small structured setting. The regular education curriculum is modified based on each student's Individual Educational Program. Students can then be mainstreamed with their peers enabling their education to be in the least restrictive environment. The amount and type of inclusion varies and is based on the student's needs. A teacher who possesses a teacher of the handicapped certification and an instructional aide instruct in the program. Additional aides may be assigned to each program to assist students who have unique needs that require additional attention and support. Related services offered include speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, and physical therapy. An extended school year is available based on the student's IEP.
Behavioral Disabled Program
Bridgeton High School
The Behavioral Disabilities Program is a self-contained program, which provides a structured environment that focuses on targeted behavior intended to enable students to achieve the educational, social-emotional and behavioral goals of their Individual Educational Program. The regular education curriculum is used but modified based on each student's Individual Educational Program. It also offers students the opportunity to be educated with their peers thus providing education in the least restrictive environment. A teacher who possesses a teacher of the handicapped certification and an instructional aide instructs each of these programs. Related services offered include speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, and physical therapy. An extended school year is available based on the student's IEP.
Learning and/or Language Disabled Programs
Indian Avenue School, Cherry Street School, Quarter Mile Lane School, and Bridgeton High School
These programs are offered and allow for students to take some or all of their core content classes (math, science, social studies and language arts) in a small structured environment, which provides individualized and small group instruction. The regular education curriculum is used but modified and supplemented based on each student's Individual Educational Program. At the secondary level, the students follow a departmentalized approach where they will rotate among special education teachers who have been deemed "Highly Qualified." Related services offered include speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, and physical therapy. An extended school year is available based on the student's IEP.
Cognitively Impaired Mild
Broad Street School and Bridgeton High School
The program is offered for students who demonstrate significantly below average general cognitive functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior. A student's educational performance is adversely affected by delays that occurred during developmental periods. The delays affect the quality and rate of learning as well as the use of symbols for the interpretation of information and the solution of problems. The programs allow students to take some or all of their core content classes (math, science, social studies and language arts) in a small structured environment, which provides individualized and small group instruction. The regular education curriculum is used but modified and supplemented based on each student's Individual Educational Program. At the secondary level, the students follow a departmentalized approach where they will rotate among special education teachers who have been deemed "Highly Qualified." Related services offered include speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, and physical therapy. An extended school year is available based on the student's IEP.
Cognitively Impaired Moderate
Buckshutem Road School and Bridgeton High School
The program is offered for students who demonstrate moderately below average general cognitive functioning in that students display delays in the ability to use symbols and solving problems of low complexity. These cognitive delays exist concurrently with deficits in the ability to function socially without direct and close supervision. The programs allow students to take some or all of their core content classes (math, science, social studies and language arts) in a small structured environment, which provides individualized and small group instruction. The regular education curriculum is used but modified and supplemented based on each student's Individual Educational Program. Related services offered include speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, and physical therapy. An extended school year is available based on the student's IEP.
In-Class Support Resource Center Programs
Broad Street School, Indian Avenue School, Quarter Mile Lane School, West Avenue School, Cherry Street School, ExCEL, and Bridgeton High School
In-Class Support Resource Center Programs are utilized in all schools from PreK to 12th grade. Subjects include Reading/Language Arts, Math, as well as Social Studies, Science and an occasional elective at the high school level. A certified teacher of the handicapped works as a partner with the regular education teacher. Related services offered include speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, and physical therapy.
Resource Centers
Bridgeton High School and Broad Street School (Bilingual)
Resource Center Programs operate in Bridgeton High School and Broad Street School. The program allows students to take some or all of their core content classes (math, science, social studies and language arts) in a small structured environment, with emphasis on skill development toward reaching the Core Curriculum Content Standards. The regular education curriculum is modified based on each student's Individual Educational Program. Related services offered include speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, and physical therapy.