Special Education

SPECIAL EDUCATION OVERVIEW

Special Education Eligibility:

All students birth-21 years old who qualify are eligible for specially designed special education services.  Students qualify under guidelines established by federal law and directed in each state by the Department of Education. The following are eligibility categories established by federal law P.L. 101-476, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A.), 2004. 

	Autism Spectrum Disorder
	Communication Disorder
	Deaf/Blindness
	Hearing Impairment
	Mental Retardation
	Orthopedic Impairment
	Other Health Impaired
	Emotional Disturbance
	Specific Learning Disability
	Traumatic Brain Injury
	Vision Impairment

Services Provided to Students:

Services are specifically designed based on individual needs of the student.  These are provided by a teacher qualified to teach in the area of the disability or by general education staff with the consultation of the specially qualified teacher or specialist.  These services may include a combination of the following:

	Evaluation
	Consultation
	Specially Designed Instruction
	Modifications to the Curriculum
	Speech Therapy
	Behavior Consultation
	Augmentative Communication
	Autism Services
	Vision Services
	Hearing Services
	Assistive Technology
	Occupational/Physical Therapy

These services may be provided in any of the following settings or a combination of settings:

	General Education Classroom
	Learning Resource Center
	Structured Learning Program
	Basic Skills Class
	Alternative Schools (e.g., Second Solutions Program, Winema)
	Tutor
	State Operated Programs  (e.g., Oregon School for the Blind, Oregon School for the Deaf)
	Residential Treatment Programs

 The students who should be referred include any student who has or is suspected of having problems related to:

	Behavior
	Learning
	Health
	Hearing
	Speech and Language
	Motor
	Vision

When a student is referred for services, a screening occurs and/or an evaluation may be recommended. Trained staff, which might include the school psychologist, speech clinician, testing specialist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, autism specialist, and/or behavior specialist will complete observations, conduct diagnostic evaluations and gather information from a variety of sources.  All initial evaluations are made with the signed permission and knowledge of the parent and/or guardian.  Parent/guardian input is considered at all stages of the evaluation, eligibility and placement.

What is an IEP?

An IEP is an individualized education plan.  The IEP is written by a team of professionals together with the student and parent/guardians.  All eligible students with disabilities, ages 5-21, will have an IEP.  The IEP is a written document that describes: 

	Specially Designed Instruction
	Direct Services
	Related Services
	Modifications and Adaptations
	Student's Present Level of Performance
	Goals and Objectives
	Location of Services
	Transition Support

Where are students referred for screening?

Each school in Silver Falls School District has a pre-referral team of school personnel. Parents may contact administrators, counselors or the student's teacher(s) for referral information specific to the individual school.

Families, School personnel, Preschool providers, Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Staff, Physicians or any community agency can refer a student for services.