The goal of the special education department is to provide direct instruction and academic support to  students identified as having a disability with the purpose of reducing the achievement  gap between special education students and general education students in the areas of language arts, math, science and social studies.  To this end, we communicate regularly with parents in an attempt to keep them abreast of the progress of their children.  We also communicate with teachers from all disciplines in order to provide additional support for students with special needs.  We use varying techniques in order to enhance learning in all content areas; these techniques include, but are not limited to, anticipatory activities, summarization strategies, instructional differentiation, note taking strategies and “checking for understanding” techniques.  At every opportunity, we enhance learning through the use of assisted technology as well as technology afforded the students in our school.   The teachers and paraprofessionals in the Special Education Department are dedicated to the well-being and success of our students.