image of students doing schoolwork

Department of Student Services

Special Education/504, Counseling and Nursing

Special education should be viewed as a part of the continuum of supports, services, and interventions for students. We strive to ensure that the regular education program is responsive to the diverse learning needs of all students. Working in tandem, regular education and special education staff can provide equal opportunities, with maximum participation and increased outcomes for students with disabilities when included with their non-disabled peers.

As a District, the Sharon Public Schools is committed to:

  • Providing special education services in the least restrictive environment to the maximum extent possible;
  • Implementing research-based interventions and strategies to ensure effective progress for all students;
  • Fostering and maintaining collaborative relationships with families to meet the needs of their students’;
  • Assisting students’ in achieving their post-secondary goals;
  • For students in out-of-district programs, maintaining a connection to their home district
  • Following the Massachusetts Special Education Regulations developed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

Jessica Murphy M.Ed., CAGS. Director of Student Services Email Jessica Murphy

(781) 784-1563 *Dept. of Student Services Main Number

Eligibility for Special Education

The Sharon Public Schools is responsible for evaluating students with a suspected disability for the purpose of determining eligibility for Special Education. Upon the receipt of signed parental consent (the return of the evaluation consent form, the district will complete a psycho-educational evaluation and hold a team meeting with parents to discuss the results and determine eligibility.

It is important to note: eligibility for special education is not based solely on the student being identified with a disability.

If the student has one or more of the disabilities defined at 603 CMR 28.02(7) and if, as a result of the disability(ies), the student is unable to progress effectively in the general education program without the provision of specially designed instruction, or is unable to access the general curriculum without the provision of one or more related services, the Team shall determine that the student is eligible.

The eligibility flowchart best illustrates the process for determining eligibility for Special Education.

If you believe your child may be eligible for special education, please contact the special education administrator at your child's school site:

ECC- Stacia LeMond Cottage- Caitrin O'Rourke East- Caitrin O'Rourke Heights- Mark Crehan SMS- Liz Deschene SHS- Brian White

Sharon Public Schools~ District-Wide Program Evaluation 2019-2020

The Sharon Public Schools engaged with Public Consulting Group (PCG) to complete a comprehensive evaluation of our current programs including Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Special Education. Using parent and staff focus groups, parent and staff surveys, student shadowing and data review, PCG formulated recommendations for the District in order to develop increasingly comprehensive services and support throughout all levels.

Links to the Executive Summary and the complete report are below:

PCG Executive Summary

PCG Program Report

Jessica Murphy's Virtual Office hours
talk

I am now offering VIRTUAL office hours weekly.

If you would like to schedule a time, please CLICK HERE.

Once the time is chosen you will receive a google meet link for our meeting via email within a few minutes- All meetings are held via Google Meet

Each appointment is scheduled for 30 minutes.

Chat soon~

Jessica