Special Education

Our mission is to provide high quality instruction resulting in student success!

Students receive special education services at Desert Ridge in one or more of the following areas:  

Cross Categorical

Gifted

District Comprehensive Support Services

• Intensive Global Support (IGS) 

• Social Communication Support (SCS)

Special education is an integral part of the total educational process and is a means of  enhancing the  capacity of the educational system to serve the needs of ALL students.  Decisions about the services for each individual student are a cooperative effort involving educators, parents and the student.   

 The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides that schools make available a continuum of services to meet the needs of children with disabilities.  To the maximum extent appropriate, special education students should be educated with children who are not disabled.  If, after special consideration, it is determined that the student will not benefit from a general education setting with supplemental aids and services, then a variety of other settings may be considered with the least restrictive educational  setting identified as the overarching principle.    

 All students learn best in environments that offer differentiated instruction to respect their unique  learning interests, abilities and needs.  The continuum of services could include but is not limited to: 

•   Full integration in regular education classes with minimal specialized support, modifications and/or accommodations. 

•   General education with special education teacher consultation to provide assistance to meet the academic needs of all students. 

•   A combination of regular education classes and alternative special settings. 

•   Self-contained special education services to best address student needs. 

 Each year every child who participates in Special Education will have an annual IEP meeting with staff, parents, and student. We use the IEP as a tool to help us document needs and appropriate placement.  We ask for parent and student input on goals, needs, and strengths. Teachers report on current progress in class.  Placement for students is often fluid, dependent upon educational need.  Meetings are scheduled in advance with notifications sent home with the student.