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Special Education

The CVCHS's Department of Special Education's mission is to provide support to special education students so that they can realize their academic and human potential through meeting the District's standards. Our goal is to improve special education service delivery and student support in CVCHS while promoting student independence. The department continually assesses strengths and areas that need to be strengthened. Following assessment, plans are implemented to address areas in need of improvement.

The Department of Special Education at CVCHS is committed to identifying and supporting diverse learners and developing their skills to access their education, as well as foster their independence toward their post-secondary transition. CVCHS complies with all laws and requirements for an LEA and services all students as outlined in their IEP. CVCHS follows both procedural and substantive compliance to ensure a Free and Appropriate Education in the Least Restrictive Environment for students to receive educational benefit.

At present our CVCHS Special Education programs consist of mild to moderate, typically known as a resource program, as well as a moderate to severe program, otherwise known as Special Day class program.

  • CVCHS Special Education Mild-Moderate program consists of 7 full-time special education teachers. Additionally, we have a part-time special education teacher supporting our special education teachers with instructional practices and ensuring compliance. 
  •  CVCHS Special Education Moderate-Severe program consists of a special day class for grades 9-12 that focuses on pre-academic and functional life skills that consist of 1 full-time special education teacher.
  •  In addition to our special education teachers, the CVCHS Department of Special Education employees 9 para-educators, a school psychologist, a school-based mental health provider, and a school nurse. We are currently in the process of adding a second school psychologist to our CVCHS team. 
  • CVCHS Department of Special Education currently contracts out for other related services based on student needs as articulated on their IEP such as speech therapy services, occupational therapy services, teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing, teacher of the visually impaired and orientation mobility specialist.

 

Please do not hesitate to reach out for any questions or to schedule a visit.

 

Special Education

Patrick Gaffney

Patrick Gaffney

Special Education (SPED), Administrative Directors, Counseling

Dr. Gaffney has worked in education for 30 years, starting as a Special Education and History teacher for adult learners in LAUSD.  He earned his Doctorate Degree in Leadership and Organizational Development from UCLA and holds a Master's Degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling, along with a PPS credential in School Counseling. Dr. Gaffney has worked as a school counselor for Burbank USD and a Social Worker for Harbor Regional Center in Greater LA, supporting students with Disabilities. He is a former BBSE counselor who spent four years working with survivors of sexual assault. Dr. Gaffney moved into school administration in 2001 and has worked as a school administrator in California and overseas. He was the Secondary School Director for Karl C. Parrish School in Barranquilla, Colombia, in South America. With eight years at CVCHS, Dr. Gaffney has overseen several areas of school administration. He is currently the Director of Student Services, supervising Special Education and all aspects of school counseling, including 504s and the school's master schedule.  As a single father, his great joy is his son, whom he loves spending time with on road trips and riding trains.