Welcome
Welcome to the Department of Special Education where our goal is to deliver quality education to students with special needs ages 3 to 21 through a continuum of services in the least restrictive environment possible.
Our staff consists of an Executive Director, Supervisors, School Psychologists, Social Workers, Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultants, Special Education Teachers, as well as Instructional and Personal Assistants. Related service providers include Speech Language Specialists, Occupational and Physical Therapists, Behaviorists, and Itinerant Teachers of the Deaf.
We encourage the active participation of parents through our Special Education Advisory Council. The Council meets quarterly and provides opportunities for parents and community members to offer input to the district on special education issues.
We look forward to working with you to achieve each student’s educational and career goals.
Core Beliefs and Educational Philosophy
We believe that all students are capable of learning through a shared responsibility of students, families, educators and community which is critical to the student’s success. We believe that each student has a right to an environment that is accessible, emotionally nurturing, physically safe, purposefully engaging, and intellectually challenging thereby preparing all children for the college and career of their choosing.
Parent Resources:
Parental Rights for Special Education
 English Spanish Portuguese Arabic Korean
Special Education & Bilingual Advisory Council Meeting Schedule 2014 - 2015:
English Spanish
Gifted & Talented
Supervisor of Gifted of Talented: Ms. Rita Routé (973) 321- 0819 rroute@patereson.k12.nj.us
Nomination
All students not previously identified shall be eligible for nomination for the program each year. Nominations may be submitted by students themselves, teachers, parents or any person familiar with a student's abilities, potential, performance, and/or past records. Nominations shall be based on evidence of high level reasoning ability and/or the development of unique products that demonstrate unusual academic ability.
Screening
All students not previously identified shall be eligible for nomination for the program each year. Nominations may be submitted by students themselves, teachers, parents or any person familiar with a student's abilities, potential, performance, and/or past records. Nominations shall be based on evidence of high level reasoning ability and/or the development of unique products that demonstrate unusual academic ability.
Identification
This stage of the process requires the use of more off-level assessments to discern who top students are in each domain. The Cognitive Abilities Test is used at all grade levels to find the most promising students in three domains: verbal, mathematical, and nonverbal. Since the program will be organized in the three areas of Mathematics, English, and Science, these aptitude scores will be useful in rank ordering the students within each area for selection of the top 10% in a given grade level. In addition to the COGAT, it is important to obtain teacher recommendations on these learners in their area of strength, with appropriate indicators for aptitude in these areas.
Students in the Paterson Public Schools will be assessed for Gifted and Talented starting in mid-February of each school year, using multiple measures that may include:
• Cognitive Abilities Test
• Student Questionnaire |
• Teacher Questionnaire
• STAR Math STAR Reading |
• Parent Questionnaire
• Portfolio of Student Work |
Selection
A selection committee, whose members have received training in gifted education, will review all applications as they are received. This committee makes the final decision as to which students qualify for the program. It is important to ensure that underrepresented groups are considered for selection. The use of nonverbal measures and the use of domain-specific scores should help with inclusion. However, a selection committee will review the files of students selected for the program to ensure that these groups are adequately represented and evidence considered that would be important to their inclusion.
Any new students entering the Paterson Public Schools who are identified from another school district and miss the spring identification sessions will be screened during the first six weeks of the school year. Students must be enrolled and attending to participate in the Identification Process. Students enrolling from private schools are asked to call the Supervisor of Gifted & Talented Education for an appointment. The selection process and evaluation process is in compliance with New Jersey Department of Education requirements for Gifted and Talented programs.
Gifted & Talented Application Process 2015
Every year the district identifies students as potential candidates for the Paterson Academy for the Gifted & Talented based on their NJASK scores from the previous year. As a result, all students scoring at the advanced level of 275 or greater in Math and or ELA receive letters to apply.
However nominations of students that do not meet this standard may be submitted by teachers, parents or any person familiar with a student’s abilities, potential, performance, and/or past records. These nominations should be based on evidence of high level reasoning ability and/or the development of unique products that demonstrate unusual academic ability.
A student shall be eligible for nomination for the program ONLY if he/she has not previously been identified.
Application Forms 2015
Gifted & Talented Links
National Association of Gifted Children
New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC)
Johns Hopkins University (CTY) Center for Talented Youth
Montclair State University
Rutgers University
Young Scholars/Courses in Gifted
Elizabeth Beasley
(848)932-4748
Accelerated Cohort at International High School
About the Program
The Accelerated Cohort at International is designed specifically for students who have the motivation and habits of mind to meet above-grade level academic standards. The mission of this program is to provide a rigorous academic experience for students who have demonstrated high achievement across content areas in middle school and would like to begin exploring our more advanced curriculum and content in their ninth grade year. ACI students stand ready to make a commitment to their education and the culture of scholarship at International High School. ACI fosters student preparedness for International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment courses in Grades 10-12. The Accelerated Cohort maximizes students’ learning experiences and their opportunities for admission to selective colleges and universities.
In addition to the PPS graduation requirements, ACI students will:
- 1) Participate in a family orientation prior to acceptance into the program.
- 2) Maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average each quarter.
- 3) Complete subject-specific summer assignments/readings.
- 4) Participate in freshmen orientation
- 5) Participate in at least one extracurricular activity/sport each year/National History Day.
- 6) Complete 150 total community service hours.
- 7) Apply and interview for summer academic experiences on college campuses after freshman year (International staff will support students through this application process).
Application Process and Selection
Advanced credit programs such as the International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment require mastery of pre-requisite skills to achieve the highest levels.
Applications will be available on this website beginning March 15, 2015. In addition to the application, students will be assessed for entry into the Accelerated Cohort using multiple measures including:
- 1) Interview
- 2) NJASK Scores of 275 or higher (or comparable state assessment)
- 3) STAR Reading and Math
- 4) Cognitive Abilities Test (where applicable)
- 5) Portfolio of Student Work
- 6) Teacher Recommendations
- 7) Report Cards
- 8) Parent questionnaire
Selection
We are looking for students that are committed to academic excellence and growth.
Approximately 25 students will be selected for admission to the Paterson Public School Accelerated Cohort. Students selected for the program will be admitted to an honors program aimed at preparing students for the rigors of advanced coursework during their 11th and 12th grade years. The selection committee at International High School will review applications.
Special Education Supervisors |
Elizabeth Caccavella
Schools: 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 24, 25, 27, ULA, RC
973-321-0688
ecaccavella@paterson.k12.nj.us
Dr. Yelena Gould
Schools: 28, NSW, STARS, Alternative Middle School, DESTINY, Great Falls, HARP, IHS/GMA, PANTHER, ROADS, Rosa Parks, YES
973-321-0677
ygould@paterson.k12.nj.us
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Alicia Pavone
Schools: Early Childhood, 1, 2, 6, 18, 20, 21, 26, AHA, Dale Ave., ELC, MLK
973-321-0858
apavone@paterson.k12.nj.us
Candice Vargas
Schools: Early Childhood, 6, 7, 9, 11, 29, DBA, NRC, ELC, EWK, Silk City
973-321-0637
cvargas@paterson.k12.nj.us
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High School Special Education Supervisory Teams |
Tanisha Tuck
Schools: CAHTS, GOPA, SOIT
973-321-1000 x51141
ttuck@paterson.k12.nj.us
Dr. Renee Archer
Schools: CAHTS, GOPA, SOIT
973-321-1000 x23908
rarcher@paterson.k12.nj.us
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Temitope David
Schools: ACT, BTMF
973-321-1000 x50153
tdavid@paterson.k12.nj.us
Brenda Robinson
Schools: SET, STEM
973-321-1000 x27633
brobinson@paterson.k12.nj.us
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School Based Supervisors |
Kiai Jones
Schools: DFNA (4), 10, 13
973-321-0100
kjones@paterson.k12.nj.us
Jaime Conti
Schools: 7, 9, 27, DALE, EWK, NSW, 29, AHA
973-321-0330
jconti@paterson.k12.nj.us
Jennie Cadet
Schools: 3, 5, 15, DBT
973-321-0050
jcadet@paterson.k12.nj.us
Janelle Sisco
Schools: 6, 28, NRC
973-321-0280
jsisco@paterson.k12.nj.us
Rontai Carswell
Schools: 2, 12, 25
973-321-0120
rcarswell@paterson.k12.nj.us
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Kiakoma Roberts
Schools: 8, 18, 21, 26
973-321-0260
kroberts@paterson.k12.nj.us
Carlita Rodriguez
Schools: 11, 20, 24, MLK
973-321-0160
crodriguez@paterson.k12.nj.us
Nicole Gibbs
Schools: 20 EBD Program (K-4)
973-321-0200
ngibbs@paterson.k12.nj.us
Naiobe Sharrock
Schools: MLK EBD Program (5-8)
973-321-0300
nsharrock@paterson.k12.nj.us
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Notification of Intent
Parent Questionnaire Bengali
