Gersh Academy :: Special Education Programs, K-12

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Where would I find my “rights” as a parent with a child in special education?

A: Enclosed are the New York State “Rights for Parents of Children with Disabilities.” (Appendix A) It is recommended that you become familiar with your rights and maintain the document as a reference if additional questions arise.

Q: What is FAPE?

A: FAPE is an acronym you will often hear as it pertains to your child and his/her education. It stands for Free Appropriate Education, which every student is entitled to by law.

Q: What if I believe my child is not receiving FAPE?

A: As a parent, you need to have concrete reasons as to why your child’s education is not appropriate for him/her. Examples of concrete reasons include, but are not limited to, the following:

Class size: Is the ratio of students to faculty too high?

Profile of the students within the classroom: Are the students’ academic and therapeutic abilities and needs similar?

Attendance: Is your child refusing to attend school because of frustration, bullying or other valid reasons?

Your child is out of the classroom for extended periods of time due to symptom related behaviors.

Failure to change methodology after existing approaches continue to be unsuccessful.

Q: What is the best way to let the district know I am not happy with my child’s current placement in school?

A: As a parent, it is a good idea to request a CSE (Committee on Special Education) meeting with your school district. Documentation of this request in the form of a certified letter or a fax receipt is suggested. Your district has thirty (30) days to respond to you. At this meeting you can share your concerns.

Q: What should I tell the district?

A: At the CSE meeting, you can begin by telling the district that you are not happy with your child’s current placement. Be sure to identify your specific concerns.

Q: If I am not happy with alternative options offered in response to my concerns, what should I do?

A: If you still do not believe your child is receiving FAPE, request another CSE meeting and express your concerns yet again. If you have then exhausted all options with the district without success, you may need to hire an advocate or attorney. Be sure to document all meetings in writing.

Q: How long will the process take?

A: There is no specific answer to this question as it depends upon your particular situation.

Q: What types of students are not appropriate for Gersh Academy ?

A: Gersh Academy ’s programs are not appropriate for students who are physically aggressive or have been diagnosed with mental retardation. There are also a variety of delays and adaptive functions that may make our programs not appropriate for particular students.

Q: What is the background of Gersh Academy faculty and staff?

A: Our faculty and staff come from a variety of backgrounds. All Special Education teachers are New York State Certified. Other staff include Certified School Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Psychologists, Licensed Speech/Language Therapists, Certified Occupational Therapists, and Licensed Social Workers, to name a few.

Q: What related services must my school district pay for?

A: The school district must pay for those related services documented on your child’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan).

Q: Who provides transportation for my child to and from Gersh Academy ?

A: Your school district will provide transportation to any Gersh Academy campus. This covers up to fifty (50) miles from your home.

Q: How is Gersh Academy different from other private schools who serve students with neurobiological disorders and autism spectrum disorders?

A: Please see Appendix B entitled Customized Education for Your Child.

Q: How many students are in each class?

A: Our intimate class sizes afford students consistency, guidance and encouragement. The 6:1:1 student/teacher/aide ratio for grades K-5 and 8:1:1 student/teach/aide ratio for grades 6-12 is a basic part of the Gersh Academy philosophy.

Q: What colleges do Gersh Academy graduates attend?

A: Graduates of Gersh Academy who plan to pursue a post-secondary education may apply to any college or university of their choice. To date, the following post-secondary schools have been chosen by our graduates:

Dowling College

Farmingdale State University of New York

Hofstra University

Nassau Community College