Student Services - Special Education
The Student Services Department is responsible for providing support services to students and their families. The following programs and personnel are part of student services: special education, school psychology, school social work which includes the school attendance program, nursing, speech/language services, and ELL services, Response to Intervention, school counseling, and the expulsion/appeals process.
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Special Education Eligibility and Services
When a parent or teacher has academic or behavioral concerns about a student, a request for consultation is made to the school Student Assistance Team. Members of the team may vary based upon presenting concerns; however the parents are a critical component to this process. One of the team’s primary functions is to develop interventions and supports to address the targeted areas of concern. If a disability is suspected, parents are involved in the subsequent planning of the assessment and determination of eligibility (as defined by state and federal law). The school district is responsible for identifying all children birth through 21 years of age, who may have a disability.
When a student is determined eligible for special education, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed to address the areas of need by: identifying goals and determining the appropriate special education services and the least restrictive environment to deliver the services. For preschool children, the continuum of special education services may range from supports in the home/day care or typical preschool, to a preschool classroom that includes preschool children with disabilities and typically developing preschoolers. These classes are co-taught by an early childhood teacher and an early childhood special education teacher. For school age children, the continuum of services may include: special education teacher services within the general education classroom, individual or small group instruction (within or outside of the classroom), and special education resource rooms. The district is required to provide services to identified children three through 21 years of age.In addition to special education teacher services, related services may be included in the IEP to support identified goals. Examples of related services are: speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, orientation and mobility training, adapted physical education, work study services and vocational special education.
