“The Special Education Department operates on the belief that all learning experiences are “special”, and that meeting individual needs in the regular classroom is “Extra Special”. Following this philosophy, the service delivery model is to emphasize “in-the-classroom” assistance and reduce the need for “pull out” type services. When delivering services in this manner, the special education specialist can provide assistance to any child that would benefit from the service. This broadens the effective impact of the specialist’s services and provides collaborative assistance for the classroom teacher.”

Since it is not possible to meet all types of needs solely in the regular setting, the District provides a continuum of service settings. They range from in the classroom assistance, to pull out for specific interventions, to full day special classes; or any combination of services that may be appropriate.

The primary areas of service are: speech and language development, reading, math and language arts. Also addressed are the needs of students challenged by physical disabilities. Regardless of the setting or services provided, the instructional emphasis is toward meeting appropriate grade level standards. For those students whose learning potential is such that they cannot benefit from an academic curriculum, the District provides a functional curriculum focusing on developing practical life skills.

Primarily for students with very limited academic learning potential

• Functional Academics

• Community Based Instruction

• Grades 5-8

Primarily for students with limited academic skills in multiple areas

• Parallel Core Academics

• Differential Standards

• Grades K-8

Primarily for students with average academic learning potential

• Core Curriculum

• Mostly Regular Standards w/wo accommodations

• Need fewer classroom changes

• Grades K-8

Primarily for students with average academic learning potential

• Scheduled Class (IEPs Only)

• Reading/Writing skills, NOT Language Arts

• Math computational @ application skills

• Grades K-8

• Provides direct support in regular classroom (as schedule for the above permits)

Primarily for students with average academic learning potential

• Core Curriculum

• Regular Standards w/wo accommodations

• Specialist is “second teacher” in classroom

• Specialist facilitates differentiated instruction

• Full period, five days per week

• Benefits all students (not limited to IEPs)