Special Education Department Main Page
Special Education Program Improvement Plan.
Quincy Public Schools offers a wide array of Special Education services. Special Education is a service designed for students who have disabilities that affect their ability to make progress in the general education setting. Students must meet the criteria of the 12 different types of disabilities that are defined in state and federal regulations and demonstrate the need for specially designed instruction or the need for a related service to access the general curriculum to be eligible for special education. The TEAM determines the appropriate services and placement in the least restrictive setting. The least restrictive setting outside the general education setting would be services in the Resource Room. Each Quincy Public School has at least one Resource Room. In addition, the following programs have been developed and are situated across the district for students in need of a more restrictive placement.
Quincy Public Schools recognize that many students have learning challenges. To meet these needs, we offer a wide array of programs - everything from extra assistance in a regular classroom setting to substantially separate intensive, therapeutic environments. Intervention can begin as early as pre-school and continue on through high school.
These pages give an overview of our Special Education Programs. Please contact our Director of Special Education at 617-984-8743 if you have questions or concerns about your child or any of our programs.
Please click here to view/print our QPS Special Education Program Description booklet.
Elementary Programs
- STARS - Students Together Achieve Real Success
- CARES - Children Achieve Real Educational Success
- Language Development Center
- Special Needs Learning Center
- Transitional Learning Center
Middle School Programs
- STARS - Students Together Achieve Real Success
- GOALS
- CARES - Children Achieve Real Educational Success
- Special Needs Learning Center
High School Programs
- Extended Vocational Alternative
- GOALS
- Special Needs Learning Center (Ages 14-22)
- Transitional High School Resource Room
- PASS - Positive Academic and Social Success
STARS - Students Together Achieve Real Success
These are substantially separate classrooms for elementary, middle and high school students with social, emotional, and/or behavioral problems that prevent participation in the general education setting. Students will develop the skills and strategies needed to participate in a full academic school day, accessing general education curriculum in the least restrictive setting. Mainstreaming and inclusion opportunities are provided to the maximum extent possible depending on individual student progress. View the PDF chart..
Extended Vocational Alternative Program
Extended Vocational Alternative Program (EVA) is a highly structured, sequential program which offers each student the opportunity. The program emphasizes work readiness and life skills, which are designed to assist the student in attaining employment and achieving independent living. Extended Vocational Alternatives (EVA) is an extended day program for high school special education students interested in vocational training and job placement assistance. The substantially separate academic program focuses on life skills. The vocational component focuses on providing entry-level opportunities in selected areas.
GOALS
GOALS is a comprehensive alternative middle and high school program for at-risk students. Strong behavior management is the foundation of the program's structure, enabling academic, social, emotional and behavioral development. The therapeutic component focuses on the development of coping strategies and solutions enabling students to have better control over their behavior, allowing them to successfully transition back to a regular school environment.
Children Achieve Real Educational Success
The program is a series of intensive language-based substantially separate classrooms for students who have Pervasive Developmental Disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorders and other severe disabilities marked by communication, social and cognitive delays. The Intensive Special Needs Centers foster independence in communication and to enable the learners socially, functionally and academically as they pursue the goal of inclusion. View the PDF chart.
Language Development Class Program
The elementary classes are substantially separate for students with language delays that prevent full participation in the general education setting. Students will develop the skills and strategies needed to participate in a full academic school day, accessing general education curriculum in the least restrictive setting. Mainstreaming and inclusion opportunities are provided to the maximum extent possible depending on individual student progress. View the PDF chart.
Special Needs Learning Center Program
These are substantially separate classrooms for elementary, middle and high school students with developmental delays, intellectual and/or neurological impairments. Each student is to develop vocational, academic, social/emotional skills to the maximum of his/her potential; to be successful in home, community and job settings; and to be integrated into the general education setting to the maximum extent possible. View the PDF chart.
Transitional Learning Center
Transitional Learning Center is a program designed for students who are not academically and/or socially ready for kindergarten. This program works to develop academic readiness and age appropriate learning behaviors and social skills through an integrated and multi sensory approach. A calm, nurturing environment where children are challenged at their individual levels allows them to develop confidence and the skills needed for future success in school.
Our Transitional Learning Center serves as a bridge for children who need the gift of time — time to absorb and express ideas, learn more about friendships, assert independence, and examine the world around them. This allows the children to become more confident as they move to the next level of academic achievement.
Transitional High School Resource Room
The Transitional Resource Rooms (THSRR) are substantially separate classrooms for special education students demonstrating social / emotional issues which prevent full-time inclusion within a general education setting. The program is highly structured, providing clearly communicated guidelines for appropriate behaviors. Academic instruction is individualized, relating the general education curriculum with appropriate accommodations. Individual and group counseling is provided to enhance self-esteem, improve social interactions and to work on the skills necessary to be reintegrated within the general mainstream.
PASS - Positive Academic and Social Success
Students in this classroom have solid academic potential but social-emotional issues may impact their ability to reach their full potential. This program will offer a college preparatory academic curriculum in a safe, supportive setting. Following the Quincy Public Schools graduation requirements, all students will take four years of English, Social Studies and Physical Education. Students will take three years of Mathematics and Science. These courses will be offered as both direct and indirect study. Students may also participate in inclusive academics as they are able. Any student wishing to take Foreign Language or electives must be deemed ready for the less restrictive setting of general education classroom. It is the goal of this program that students are able to transition to the mainstream.