Referrals, Response to Intervention (RtI), and Individualized Education Programs
Referrals for special education are made through the child’s home
school. Students who attend a private school within the school districts
boundary may request services by contacting the Special Services
Department at 348-6100.
To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, ages 3
through 21, will be educated with children who are non-disabled. Special
classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with
disabilities from the regular education environment will occur only when
the nature and severity of the disability is such that education in a
regular classroom with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot
be satisfactorily achieved. The determination of the least restrictive
environment (LRE) is a team decision and the child’s parent is a vital
member of that team.
Before a child can be placed in a special education program, the
student must first have received continuous quality instruction in the
regular classroom environment coupled with scientific, research-based
interventions for those students who continue to struggle in the
regular classroom environment. This is known as the "Response to
Intervention" (RtI) problem solving model. A psycho-educational
evaluation may be completed by a qualified examiner if and when
additional data is needed during the eligibility/placement process to
determine eligibility for disability categories other than a Specific
Learning Disability. Special education eligibility is determined by a
multi-disciplinary team that follows very specific eligibility criteria
for each of the thirteen disability categories. Upon an eligibility
determination an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) must be written
jointly by the parents and school personnel in a team meeting. The
purpose of the IEP is to:
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Provide for parental involvement in educational decisions
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Protect the rights of parents and children
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Assure that each child with a disability is provided special
education and related services appropriate to his or her special
learning needs.