Our Programs:
Each school in the Little Falls School District has staff members licensed to provide special education and related services for those students who meet criteria and have special education needs.
A robust group of programs are available to meet student needs; Early Childhood Special Education, programs and licensed professionals in the areas of Learning Disabilities, Emotional Behavioral Disabilities, Developmental Cognitive Disabilities are present in each building, as well as access to speech, occupational and physical therapy services as needed. Team-taught classes in the core areas at the middle and high school offer a unique opportunity for students to benefit from both content teachers and a special educator simultaneously.
Beginning in 2013, a unique partnership with Northern Pines Mental Health has placed a licensed mental health professional in each of the district's schools on a contracted basis. This service has provided a needed resource to both special education-eligible and their non-special education peers, alike.
Our Processes:
Parents and students are directly involved with school and appropriate outside agency staff in the development of the special education program and the student's Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) for children in Early Childhood Special Education, Individual Education Plan (IEP) for school-age children, or Individual Interagency Intervention Plan (IIIP) for students getting services from multiple agencies.
Programs and related services for students with a disability may begin at birth or as soon as criteria is met and the need for special education services is determined.
Students are eligible for special education services until the IFSP, IEP, or IIIP Team decides to terminate services. Special education services are also terminated when the student graduates from high school or when the student is 21 years of age. Students remain with their general education peers in the least restrictive environment (LRE) to the extent the IEP, IIIP, or IFSP Team determines is appropriate.