Special Education

Student Age: 14 to 21

The NET program is a collaborative effort between Nassau BOCES, Sagamore Children’s Psychiatric Hospital (Phase I), and North Shore Family and Child Guidance Center (Phase II) to meet the unique therapeutic, medical, and learning needs for students diagnosed with various psychiatric disorders. The NET program consists of 150 students who are striving to earn an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Local, or Regents diploma. All classes in this program have six students, one teacher, and one classroom aide. Students striving for an IEP diploma are in self-contained classes with an individualized curriculum that balances transitional and prevocational skills training, functional academics, and New York State Learning standards. NET students striving for a Regents or Local diploma are in a departmentalized program with classes that change every period. The NET program has a full-day Extended Year Program (EYP).

The Modified High School Program is designed to meet the unique learning and behavioral needs for students with various abilities who are striving for an IEP diploma. All classes in this program are self-contained and consist of nine students, one teacher, and two teacher aides. The High School Program curriculum balances transitional and prevocational skills training, functional academics, and New York State Learning standards. This program has a half-day Extended Year Program (EYP).

In the Skills Enrichment Program, students receive an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) diploma. For these students, a daily living skills curriculum with a functional academic base is enriched through a variety of special activities. Non-paid internships at public and non-profit facilities and agencies, such as hospitals, offices, parks, and small businesses, are provided for students in each program. Students, supervised by Nassau BOCES staff and on-site personnel, learn a variety of entry level skills through these internships. Through a Life Skills curriculum, students develop job skills by role playing, studying career choices, improving interviewing skills, writing resumes, and filling out job applications. They learn the importance of promptness, recognizing authority and following directions. To further enhance their vocational training, students are provided with the option to participate in pre-vocational programs. In addition, a satellite program for our older students has been started within the Herricks School District, which emphasizes transitional programming and post-graduation success.