Special Education

Special Education Department Overview

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are developed for students who have been determined by an IEP Team evaluation to have a disability. That disability must also then be determined to prevent the student from making effective progress in the general education program without specially designed instruction or a related service. Students who are suspected of having a disability can be referred for an evaluation by their parents, or any school staff member familiar with the student.

Learning Center Support

The Learning Center classrooms use a Resource Room model of specialized support used to provide targeted tutorial instruction, skill remediation, and academic support for students with IEPs, 504s, or other educational plans as determined by their IEP or Student Support TEAM. Students receive academic credit for their work in the Learning Center calculated according to the amount of time they spend working there.

Counseling Services

Individual student counseling services are available with a variety of mental health professionals as determined by the student's IEP or Student Support TEAM. A school psychologist and/or guidance counselor meet with students and consult with parents and staff.

TEAM Evaluation Process

REFERRAL SOURCES: Parents, Student, Teacher, Counselor, Administrator, Other Professional

Student Support Team CASE REVIEW: The Student Support TEAM completes a case review of any student brought to the Team’s attention by any one of the referral sources. As a result of the discussion of the student’s challenges and needs at the Case Review, action steps follow which will include recommendations for interventions that can assist the student. These might include access to supportive school programs, targeted work with the student to foster individual strategies and/or a variety of classroom and instructional accommodations that may assist the student. The Student Support Team might also make a referral for an IEP or 504 evaluation. The Student Support TEAM is comprised of any staff member familiar with the student and his or her challenges, and can include administrators, guidance counselor, teachers, school adjustment counselor, school psychologist, school nurse and parents. The process followed by the Student Support Team is typically Case Review→ Regular Program with Accommodations-- TEAM Evaluation → TEAM Meeting → Determination of Special Education eligibility and development of an Individualized Educational Plan, as necessary.

High School Lead: Erin McCarthy

Email: emccarthy@belmont.k12.ma.us