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The Office of Education provides intensive 12 month educational services and supports to children and young adults ages 3 through 21. The severity or uniqueness of their needs requires removal from the public school setting for a period of time. A successful return to school and participation in community life are goals for all OOE students.

These State and federally compliant education programs are designed for students who:

• Exhibit severe cognitive, physical, behavioral and emotional disabilities;
• Exhibit a variety of moderate to severe learning disabilities;
• Are at risk of school failure; and/or
• Are pregnant/parenting teens (programs are available for infant/toddlers of parenting teens).

Regular and special education programs are individually designed and provided to these students in the least restrictive environment.

Our students are served in:

• Residential facilities within DCF Divisions of Child Behavioral Health Services and Youth and Family Services, as well as the Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health Services;
• 18 DCF Regional Schools, and two hospital based satellite programs operated by the OOE including: TEC (Transitional Education Centers) programs for at-risk youth, TEACH (Teen Education and Child Health) programs for pregnant and parenting teens with licensed day care centers for the infants/toddlers of the parenting teens; and
• A variety of public and private community-based programs.

The OOE also serves students who have no NJ District of Residence as determined by the NJ Department of Education (DOE). These State Responsible students are placed in public, private and State facility school settings according to their individual educational needs.

Educational services include: regular and special education programs, Child Study Team services, related services, educational surrogates, and instructional and assistive technology services.

Vision

All children in New Jersey participate constructively within their local schools and communities as they prepare to become productive members of society.

Mission

The mission of the Office of Education is to support our students’ cognitive, physical, behavioral, and emotional growth in a holistic manner as they discover and learn to ameliorate weaknesses, build upon strengths and prepare for a successful return to their local schools and communities. Our education programs strive to enable our students not only to survive and cope, but also to thrive and enjoy living and working in the real world.

Core Beliefs

• All students are capable of learning; education is their fundamental right.
• Students are best served in a strength-based planning model designed to foster success and develop self-esteem.
• Parents participate as team members with Child Study staff, teachers and support staff in the educational decision making process for their child.
• Relevant instructional experiences are developed for students, based on their special education Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or regular education Individualized Program Plans (IPPs).
• Educational administrators provide effective program leadership by supporting competent staff.
• Education programs provide students a wide variety of community, agency and facility resources within the least restrictive environment.
• Thorough, effective transitional planning provides students with the knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes needed to maximize their success in post-secondary environments.