Special Education



Director
Irastina Reid

Secretary 
Joanne Davidson

Assistant Director for Data, Compliance, & Self-Monitoring
Kevin Casavant

 
Assistant Director 
Merritt Kusak-McGuire

Assistant Director for Committee on Special Education (CSE)
Sarah Long

Assistant Director 
Katelynn Killmore
Physical Address
201 Central Office 725 Harrison Street
Syracuse, NY 13210

Mailing Address
Special Education Department 1025 Erie Blvd. West Syracuse, NY 13204
Contact Info
(315) 435-4425

Special Education is not a place, it is a service.

The goal is to provide all students with a disability the services necessary for success in the least restrictive classroom environment. We have a strong emphasis on raising expectations and standards of excellence for all Pre-k - 12 students culminating in graduation from one of the Syracuse City School District High Schools. Through partnership between parents, teachers, administrators, and related service providers we will achieve excellence in teaching and learning for every one of our students.

 


Special Education Learning at Home

The following resources can be used to support students in math, reading and writing while learning at home.
 

VmathLive® VmathLive ® is for students in grades K–8 as they master math content at their own pace in a motivating online environment. The learning is structured so students work sequentially througthe lessons and can earn badges, trophies, and points. The licenses are valid through July 31, 2020. Click here to sign up. If you need to set up more than 1 student, contact Customer Support.
Immersive Reader
 SCSD Students can have text read to them once it is copied and pasted into their Microsoft Word in their 365 Account.  All SCSD students have an account for this.  If a student needs help in logging on to the account, please contact the student’s teacher.  Student’s will use Immersive Reader. 

Click here to learn how to use Immersive Reader in Microsoft 365.
Select and Speak
 When using the Chrome Web Browser students can download the extension Select and Speak.  This extension allows you to copy and paste text from an internet site.  Once the text is pasted into Select and Speak it will read the text.  The free version allows for 1000 words a day to be read by the computer.

Click here to learn how to add the extension.  (There is no sound in this video)
Speech to Text Online Software
 Students can use Speech to Text Online Software. When using the Chrome Web browser and going to the following link below students will be able to talk into the computer and it will type what they say.  The first time a student uses it they will need to allow use of the microphone.  Most laptop computers have a built-in microphone.  Certain desktop computers will require an external microphone. 

Click here to try SpeechTexter.
Speech to Text (Dictation) Software
 Students who have access to a tablet can also use the speech to text (dictation) software. This type of software is also available when a student is created a word document in Microsoft 365.  If they click on the dictate button the computer will type what is said.  This type of software does not work for all students, but if a student talks slowly and clearly, it is usually fairly accurate.
Free Audible Audiobooks
 For as long as schools are closed students will have access to a large number of free Audible Audiobooks. 

Click here to access Audible Audiobooks.