Prior to an evaluation for special education services, school staff members are prepared to provide formal and informal strategies to support student achievement and function. Based on a review of the information collected, and/or based on parent desire for an evaluation, a student may be referred for a comprehensive evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services.

Individual student needs are evaluated through the Multidisciplinary Evaluation process, and the Evaluation Team determines whether a student has an educational disability and also whether the student has a need for specially designed instruction. Special instruction is provided to eligible children who need:

 

For students who are evaluated and meet eligibility criteria, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed that describes the specially designed instruction deemed necessary for that student. For students with an IEP, instruction is based on the core (district) curriculum. The IEP team documents the student’s present levels of academic, functional and behavioral abilities and the areas of need for instruction and intervention. The IEP outlines goals, accommodations/ adaptations or modifications, teaching strategies, supplementary aids and services and all other support systems that may help the student to access and benefit from the general education curriculum.