Greater Southern Tier BOCES supports the principles of LRE (least restrictive environment) and inclusion (the right of children to be educated with non-disabled age appropriate peers).

A majority of our special programs are located in public school buildings with non-disabled age appropriate peers. BOCES teachers provide students instruction in core subject areas. Students participate with non-disabled peers in general school activities and mainstream academic classes as mandated on their IEPs.

Students receive instruction in music, physical education, art and library. Opportunities for pre-vocational, vocational/technical education at the BOCES campuses and work experiences are available for secondary-level students.

Please click the links to the left for more details about each of our services.

Special education vision statements

1. GST BOCES will provide special education services identified by two or more component districts as needed.
2. GST BOCES will provide special education services in settings that will maximize the least restrictive environment (LRE) for students with disabilities.
3. The GST BOCES cost methodology for all special education services will be structured to support the provision of LRE for students with disabilities.
4. GST BOCES will assume a leadership role in advocating for the provisions of LRE of all students with disabilities in areas such as student outcomes, financial building, starr supportive services, educational equipment, materials and supplies and staff development activities which must have the specific goal of enhancing the instructional capabilities of staff (including that of BOCES and component districts) in instructing students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.