Student Support Services

We believe in the potential of all our Hartford Public Schools’ students. The Office of Special Education Services serves a particular role in this mission, to ensure all students with disabilities have access to and benefit from the general education curriculum. You can read more details about our comprehensive approach in this Special Education Services brochure (coming soon!).

If you believe that your son or daughter is in need of an Individualized Education Program (IEP), please review the materials and forms in our Special Education Document Library to initiate the process.

The Hartford Public Schools’ Special Education Department supports the District’s mission to support the full potential of each and every student. Our goal is to ensure that all students with disabilities have access to and benefit from the general education curriculum.

The Special Education Department falls under the Office of School Improvement. We support students who have been identified as requiring special education in district schools, CREC magnets, Open Choice, and neighboring communities if they are Hartford residents.

Special education programming and support includes accommodations and modifications of the general education curriculum and environment, individualized goals and objectives (in an IEP), coordinated transition services, assistive technology, and related services. Related services include psychological, speech and language, social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy, visual and hearing support, and specialized transportation services. All services and supports are identified at the PPT (Planning and Placement Team meeting) and included in the IEP.

Special education programming includes:

• accommodations and modifications of the general education curriculum and environment
• personalized goals and objectives
• coordinated transition activities
• assistive technology

Related services include:

• psychological services
• speech and language
• social work services
• occupational therapy
• physical therapy
• services for students with visual and/or hearing impairments
• specialized transportation

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT SPECIALISTS

To help meet the district goal of decreasing chronic absenteeism by 7% by 2022, the Student Engagement Specialist (SES) team works with district and school attendance teams to ensure that attendance policies and procedures are followed.  Find your student’s SES here!

RESOURCES FOR OUR LGBTQI+ COMMUNITY

We are committed to making each student feel comfortable, supported, and welcomed. That includes providing education and training to staff and students, and ensuring our district is inclusive and equitable.

To our HPS students: You matter, your voice matters, and we see you. We strive to create an inclusive environment where individuality and differences are celebrated. It’s those differences that make our community stronger and more robust.

Click here to find supports and crisis hotlines that are available to you.  You can also reach out to trusted, caring adults in your school building.

STUDENT SAFETY RESOURCES