Special Education & Student Services

Vision Statement:    All general education and special education teachers will be viewed as experts in instruction for students with diverse learning needs. This will result in increased opportunities for improved teaching and learning in all schools, in all classes, for all students.

This will be achieved with a plan that provides professional development and other supports for all staff in the Medford Public Schools. It will require a unified approach to instruction that addresses priority areas of need across all levels from preschool through high school. The focus will be on providing services in the least restrictive environment. All instruction will be aligned with the Medford Public Schools’ curriculum and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

This can only be accomplished by engaging all members of the Medford community, by establishing priorities and the resources to achieve them, and by evaluating progress and making adjustments as needed.

Mission Statement:  Medford Public Schools special educators believe that all students are capable of achieving high expectations when there is a strong partnership among parents, teachers, administrators and other members of the Medford community. It is our goal to teach students in order that they will achieve their full potential as independent and successful adults.

Special educators bring to schools a wealth of knowledge about child development and how children learn, and the skill to monitor student progress. The special education staff mission emphasizes a problem solving approach to concerns about student learning and progress, with the support of parents and all professionals of the Medford Public Schools.