Special Education
Special education is specially designed instruction that addresses the unique needs of a student eligible to receive special education services. Special education is provided at no cost to parents and includes the related services a student needs to access her/his educational program.
Early Supports and Services (ages 0-2): Early intervention services are available to children birth to 2yrs who have disabilities and/or developmental delays. Family-Centered Early Supports and Services (FCESS), New Hampshire’s Early Intervention system, is a service provided to families and children under the age of three who have a developmental delay, disability or an established condition. Services are provided in the home and community to assist families in providing the best evidence based practices to increase a child’s growth and development. Contact them at 1-800-649-8817 or info@lrcs.org
School Age (ages 3-21): Students with disabilities who are determined eligible for special education and related services are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Services are provided to eligible students according to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in preschools, elementary, and secondary schools, or other appropriate settings.
Contact Information
Allyson Vignola, Director of Student Services 603-269-5161 ext 308 avignola@mybes.org
Jackie Therrien, Administrative Assistant 603-269-5161 ext 304 jtherrien@mybes.org
Theresa Grow, Preschool Teacher/ Case Manager 603-269-5161 ext 121 tgrow@mybes.org
Ashley St. John, Kindergarten and 1st grade Special Education Teacher/ Case Manager 603-269-5161 astjohn@mybes.org
Kevin Nash, 1st and 2nd grade Special Education Teacher/ Case Manager 603-269-5161 ext 117 knash@mybes.org
Jen Trafton, 3rd grade Special Education Teacher/ Case Manager 603-269-5161 ext 817 jtrafton@mybes.org
Ed Mears, 4th grade Special Education Teacher/ Case Manager 603-269-5161 ext 175 emears@mybes.org
Emma Wiley, 5th and 6th grade Special Education Teacher/ Case Manager 603-269-5161 ext 124 ewiley@mybes.org
April Hackley, 6th and 7th grade Special Education Teacher/ Case Manager 603-269-5161 ext 174 ahackley@mybes.org
Shawnda Hopkins, 8th grade Special Education Teacher/ Case Manager 603-269-5161 ext 119 shopkins@mybes.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I suspect a child has a disability?
Anyone may refer a child if they suspect that he/she may have a disability and need special education. Additionally, all school districts using the special education process, shall find, identify, and evaluate all children suspected to be children with disabilities who are 2.5 years of age or older but less than 21 years of age to ensure that eligible children are found, identified, and provided needed services. When a guardian, a teacher, or other person suspects a child may have a disability and need special education, a referral to the school district may be made. If the referral comes from someone other than a guardian, including from the child’s teacher, the guardian is immediately notified, in writing, that a referral has been made. A disposition of referral meeting, to which the guardian will be invited, must be held within 15 business days of receiving the referral. This meeting (like all IEP Team meetings) must be held at a date, time, and place mutually agreeable to the guardian and the school. The IEP Team may decide that there is no indication that the child has a disability and needs special education or special education and related services, and that at this time the school can meet the child’s needs through regular educational services. Otherwise, they would determine that there is reason to suspect the child may have a disability and should be evaluated. The school must give the guardian written notice of the IEP Team’s decision. This notice is the “Written Prior Notice”. If the IEP Team decides that additional evaluation is necessary, then the written prior notice will also include a request for parental consent to conduct any individual evaluations needed to determine if the child is a child with a disability.
What laws govern special education?
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 is the federal law that guarantees FAPE is provided to eligible students with disabilities. The NH Standards for the Education of Students with Disabilities is NH's interpretation and guidance of that Federal law.
What is the difference between Section 504 and Special Education?
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law which prohibits discrimination against students based on disability. Section 504 ensures that students with disabilities have equal access to educational programs, services, and activities. Special education is governed by the IDEA. Accommodations and/or related aids and services provided under Section 504 are included in a Section 504 Plan. Special Education is different from Section 504 because special education requires school districts to provide eligible students with specially designed instruction in accordance with an IEP. Students eligible for special education, however, are still protected from discrimination under Section 504 and have appropriate accommodations and/or related aides and services included as part of their IEP. Learn more about the differences between IEPs and 504s here.
What rights do parents and students have under the law?
Parents and students have numerous rights under special education law. These rights are outlined in a document called New Hampshire Special Education Procedural Safeguards Handbook. School districts are required to give a copy of this document to the students and their families who are receiving special education services.