Special Education Services

Services are available to children ages three through five who have been identified as having significant delays in development. The goal is to provide children with early help through specialized educational intervention.

Speech and Language Pathologists work with children who demonstrate significant delays in the acquisition or production of normal speech and/or language skills relative to chronological age and mental or physical ability. From the preschool through secondary level, the speech and language pathologists address problems which include: language development, communication skills, stuttering and articulation.

Variation in the acquisition and mastery of basic academic skills can normally be expected among students at every grade level; however, students who have tested ability in the average or above average range and who still demonstrate significant delays in basic academic subjects, may qualify for specific learning disabilities programming if their problem is not primarily attributable to a physical or health deficit, emotional behavioral or motivational factors.

Students who frequently demonstrate chronic and severe behaviors which significantly interfere with their learning may qualify for this program. Teachers who specialize in this area are available for the instruction of academic and affective skills, consultation with regular education staff, and diagnostic evaluations.

Students with significantly below average general intellectual ability in conjunction with significant delays in academic skills and adaptive behavior may qualify for this category. Programs are available in integrated classes at the primary, middle and high school levels within the district, as well as in other locations through the cooperation of several neighboring school districts and at Syble Hopp School.

Students with significant physical limitations of their auditory and visual senses may qualify for special programs within the district. Severely impaired students may qualify for services in more specialized out-of-district programs.

Occupational and physical therapy are only available on an as needed basis as a supportive or related service to those students qualifying for services under a disability area.