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Search and Serve
The PACT (Pursuing Academic Choices Together) Academy, actively seeks out individuals with special needs who are enrolled in the Independent Study Program between the ages of 5 (Kindergarten) and through 8th grade.
Continuum of Special Education Services
Under the Individuals with Disabilities, Education Act (IDEA 2004) school districts are required to create a continuum of services and placement options. The PACT Academy offers a continuum of services and supports within the Independent Study Program to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities. This continuum includes:
General Education Setting: The parent/guardian serves as the general education teacher under the guidance of the Educational Adviser. Regular advisory meetings are held to review appropriate instructional materials and lesson plans to provide rigor and relevance at grade level through the use of the core curriculum.
General Education with Related Services: The parent/guardian serves as the general education teacher under the guidance of the Educational Adviser. The student attends related services or educationally based therapy based on their individual needs. Sessions may be weekly or monthly.
General Education with Consultation: The parent/guardian serves as the general education teacher under the guidance of the Educational Adviser. The Education Specialist provides guidance on the identified accommodations and supplementary aids and delivery of instruction to the student with exceptional needs to support IEP goal attainment through the use of the core curriculum. This is provided through attendance at advisory meetings and/or through independent meetings between parent/guardian and the Education Specialist and/or Related Service Providers.
General Education with supplementary instruction and services: The parent/guardian serves as the general education teacher under the guidance of the Educational Adviser. The student attends small group or individual instruction provided by the Education Specialist and/or Special Education paraprofessional. Sessions are typically offered weekly. A specialized curriculum may be provided as appropriate to address the student’s individual needs.
What is Special Education?
Special Education is specialized instruction provided for children from birth through age 22 who qualify according to the laws and regulations outlined by the state and federal governments. A student may qualify for special education service(s) as an individual with special needs in one or more of the thirteen areas identified by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004):
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Deaf-Blind
Visually Impaired
Speech-Language Impaired
Specific Learning Disability
Multiple Disabilities
Orthopedic Impairment
Other Health Impairment
Intellectual Disability
Established Medical Disability (ages 3-5)
Emotionally Disturbed
Autism
Traumatic Brain Injury
Special Education Process
If a student is demonstrating a pattern of serious difficulty in school and frequently exhibits learning problems, consideration of Special Education may be needed. This can occur in the following way:
Referral and Identification
A referral may be initiated by:
Parent/Guardian(s)
Teachers
Doctors
Student
School-Based Student Study Team
School Administrator
Community Agency Personnel
Student Success Team(SST)
The Student Success Team is a general education process to review a student’s strengths and areas of concern. At this meeting, the parent/guardian, along with the school staff, discuss and recommend interventions and alternative instructional strategies and supports that are needed. The SST may refer a child for Special Education assessment if a disability is suspected and/or after reviewing the results of general education resources that have been implemented as appropriate.
Assessment
A proposed assessment plan or prior written notice is developed within 15 days of the written referral. An assessment will only be completed with parent/guardian permission. The parent/guardian will be provided a copy of their procedural safeguards/rights. The assessment process will be done through testing, observations, interviews, review of educational records, and conferences with those professionals who have worked with the child in the educational setting. The evaluation results including both strengths and possible needs will be shared with the Parents/Guardians at an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting.
The Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team
The IEP team consists of the Parents/Guardians, a school administrator, an Education Specialist, the student’s General Educational Adviser, and other special education staff as determined by the team.
When a student with exceptional needs has been found eligible for special education, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed. An IEP is a written document that includes academic and/or functional goals and objectives, and supplementary aids/supports to the general education program based upon the student’s educational needs as determined by the IEP team.
The IEP plan will include a summary of assessment findings, a statement of goals and objectives recommended and developed by the IEP team, a list of specific services that will facilitate the attainment of the goals and objectives, a recommendation for placement/educational setting, starting date and frequency of services. The parent/guardian(s) will be asked to provide written approval of the IEP at the meeting.
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team Communication
Communication between all parties involved will be ongoing. Parents/guardians are to attend regularly scheduled meetings with their educational advisers. Communication with the Education Specialists and/or Related Service Providers can be conducted through phone calls, emails, and virtual or in-person informal meetings. Additionally, progress towards goals and objectives will be reported by the special education providers each semester and at the annual review IEP meeting.
Parent Resources
Sacramento County Special Education Location Planning Area https://www.scoe.net/divisions/ed_services/special_ed/selpa/
California Department of Education Special Education Notice of Procedural Safeguards
https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/qa/pseng.asp
US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html
The Mind Institute
https://health.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/
Alta California Regional Center
California State Council on Developmental Disabilities
Warmline Family Resource Center
Seeds of Partnership
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