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For information contact: Anne Rode, Supervisor, at 607-588-6291 (#6291), x182
or Cassandra Bruno, Secretary, at 607-652-6291 (#6291), x103
BOCES hires and assigns itinerant teachers of academics, the arts and student support areas, as well as related service providers to schools that cannot generate a student population sufficient to justify a full-time position. Itinerant teachers and related service providers work with the general education population and with students who have disabilities. Every effort is made to hire certified teachers and providers in each discipline and therapy area. Listed below are current areas in which itinerants and related service providers are hired
CO-SER 301 – Physical Education
CO-SER 302 - Adaptive Physical Education for Students with Disabilities
This service is for students who are unable to participate in regular physical education classes because of physical, cognitive, or severe social/emotional difficulties.
Specific activities that promote improved motor and perceptual development are implemented by a physical education teacher in both individual and small group settings.
CO-SER 305 – Speech Improvement
Therapists deal with a broad range of communication difficulties including, but not limited to, articulation, language delays, auditory processing and so forth. These problems fall into the slight to moderate range of difficulties. This category is generally used for students who do not meet CSE criteria. (See CO-SER 315)
CO-SER 306 – Art CO-SER 308 – Elementary & Secondary Guidance CO-SER 309 – Health CO-SER 310 – School Psychologists
Guidance and counseling is provided to special education and regular education students in districts on a shared basis. Specific duties vary depending upon the need of each district.
This service will allow participating districts to meet the health education requirements/credit hours for students' graduation requirements. Highly qualified BOCES teachers will provide students with instruction to have the necessary knowledge and skills to establish and maintain physical fitness, participate in physical activity, and maintain personal health.
The goal of psychological services is to provide the precise information on a student’s academic and emotional status so that he or she receives the most appropriate education. Psychologists administer a variety of educational tests to help teachers better understand the learning style of the student. They serve as consultants to teachers and counselors, provide direct counseling to students who are experiencing problems, and provide support to parents, and serve as a resource to the CSE.
This service includes diagnosis, program planning and implementation, as well as consultation.
Our speech and language therapists serve pupils with a wide range of communication problems including articulation, language, fluency, voice, and minor hearing impairments. A child may be referred for evaluation by parents, classroom teacher, or other related service providers. This referral is made to the pupil’s home school Committee on Special Education (CSE).
Speech pathologists then administer a number of tests to determine whether a speech or language problem is present. Results are then reported to the Committee on Special Education, along with specific recommendations for therapy and program. With CSE approval, therapy is initiated and IEPs are developed within the first few weeks stating the therapeutic treatment. Progress reports are made quarterly to the parents and the Committee on Special Education.
CO-SER 316 – Technology Teacher
Students will develop an insight and understanding of technology, design, industry, engineering and products in society. A certified BOCES teacher will assist students in developing practical, creative problem-solving skills related to materials and processes of industrial technology, as well as skills in the safe use of tools and machines.
CO-SER 318 – English As A Second Language (ESL)
A certified teacher provides direct and indirect instructional support to students who come from a home where a language, other than English, is spoken. Services are provided in accordance with Part 154 of Commissioner’s Regulations for Pupils with Limited English Proficiency.
CO-SER 320 – Service for the Visually Impaired
Students receive instruction in the adaptive skills needed to complete tasks and assignments. Examples of such skills include braille instruction, listening skills, orientation and mobility (including concept development and body awareness), accessing computers, slate stylus and improvement of functional vision skills. The teacher of the visually impaired also provides students with special materials in alternative formats, such as Braille and large print textbooks, and assists the districts in the purchase of necessary equipment.
This service is provided on an FTE basis similar to the Itinerant Services CO-SERs.
CO-SER 321 – Service for the Hearing Impaired/Deaf
This program serves children with medically diagnosed, physiological hearing problems. Each pupil’s program is based upon the amount of their residual hearing. Mainstreamed hearing-impaired pupils are encouraged to be as independent as possible in the classroom.
Deaf and hearing-impaired students develop competency in the communication modes of speech, speech reading, audition, signing, finger spelling, reading and writing. Instruction is presented using a total communication approach. The teacher provides direct instruction, consultant services, support to parents as needed, and assistance to districts in the purchase of necessary equipment.
CO-SER 328 – Physical Therapy
With approval from the Committee on Special Education and written parental consent, an evaluation is completed by a
CO-SER 329 – Occupational Therapy
An Occupational Therapist specializes in the development of fine motor and visual perceptual motor skills and activities of daily living. Therapies are developed by utilizing knowledge based on medical, biological, behavioral, and therapeutic principles. The therapy goals are related directly to the student’s individual educational goals as determined by the IEP when working with students with disabilities.
CO-SER 430 – Summer Driver Education CO-SER 504 – Science Enrichment
This service provides an instructor of driver education for six weeks during the summer. The time spent in this course will allow students to meet the New York State licensing requirements for class and road time. Districts are responsible for making arrangements for a vehicle, maintenance and all other related expenses. Since instructors are paid based on the number of students registered the first week, districts will be held to these numbers.
This service provides updated science demonstration lessons in grades K-12. Demonstration lessons are provided by a BOCES teacher at the request of the school distrit's teachers. The BOCES teacher schedules time in each participiating district for the equivalent of .1 FTE/week. This service is also now available on a per diem rate.
CO-SER 552 – Assistive Technology
Federal and State regulations now mandate that children with disabilities have access to technology services that assist them in education, communication, mobility, independence and control over their environment. This service includes consultation to classroom teachers, as well as direct services to students. Upon conducting a comprehensive assessment of a student’s technology needs, a trained specialist assists in the acquisition of assistive devices, specialized hardware/peripherals and software necessary for appropriate computer access. Assistive Technology support and training will then be provided as needed.
Examples of current devices designed to provide assistance to students include, but are not limited to:
- Large pressure-sensitive keyboards for students with fine motor disabilities.
- Specialized software and graphics tablets to assist a preschool or special needs student with cause-and-effect instruction (a prerequisite to successful computer-assisted instruction, and/or life skill training).
- A variety of single and multiple switch entry devices to accommodate the unique needs of individual students.
- Assistive Technology provides a variety of services including, but not limited to:
o Equipment, software and peripheral demonstrations with students and teachers.
o Training of staff on appropriate use of technology (emphasis will be on utilizing what the district already has).
o Work with CSE to locate funding for adaptive equipment and technology.
o Student technology screening.
Collaboration with other support personnel (OT/PT, Speech/ Language) to maximize services and treatment.
