There are a variety of special education programs offered by the Oneonta City School District. 

Basic Life Skills 

BLS

The Basic Life Skills program is designed to meet the needs of students who have a variety of concerns. The program focuses on developing functional academic skills, activities of daily living, communication and social needs. Students in this program often have a variety of related services, with the goal of meeting all of their unique needs. Student teacher ratio in this program is exceptionally low, with some students needing the added support of an adult to provide the access skills necessary to gain meaning from the curriculum.

Basic Life Skills programs are located in Greater Plains Elementary School (primary and intermediate) and Oneonta Middle School.

The Bridges Program (BLS)

The Bridges Program at the Oneonta High School also has a program to meet the needs of this student population.  Bridges addresses a variety of skills, with a focus on independence and social skills, particularly communication.  The students in this program navigate all of the challenges of high school, with the support of a caring staff and accommodations when necessary.  

Behavioral Adjustment

BA

Students in the Behavioral Adjustment Program primarily have behavioral, social and/or emotional difficulties that prevent them from accessing the general education program. Students work to develop the self monitoring skills necessary to become successful in the general education setting. Counseling is an integral part of this program. The students work with the counselor individually and in small groups depending on their needs. The Behavior Adjustment program provides a highly structured learning environment using behavior management strategies to foster personal growth for each child in the program. Student/teacher ratios in these programs are kept to an 8:1:1 level.

Behavioral Adjustment Programs are located in Riverside Elementary School (primary and intermediate) and the Oneonta Middle School.  

Basic Academic Program

BAP

The Basic Academic Program works primarily with children who can access the general education curriculum with modifications and adaptations. Students have opportunities to receive their instruction with their typical peers as well as with the Special Education teacher. The BAP Program provides educational experiences for the student with moderate learning difficulties and/or minimal social/emotional difficulties who is likely to attain the academic, social and/or vocational skills necessary for success, but who cannot maintain the pace of a traditional school program. 

The primary and intermediate BAP classrooms are located in Valleyview School.

 Resource Room

RR

Resource Room is a special education placement that has the purpose of supplementing the regular classroom instruction.  The program is based on each student's academic, social, physical, and management needs.  The goals of the resource room are to: 

• Strengthen each student's skill deficit areas
• Access the regular education curriculum
• Help each student attain success in school

There are resource room programs in each of the elementary schools, as well as in the middle and high school(s).

Consultant Teacher 

Students receiving consultant teacher services need minimal accommodations and modifications to the general education curriculum.  Special Education teachers provide support within the classroom setting, working with individuals and small groups of students.