Special education programs are authorized by federal and state laws. These laws require that a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) shall be offered in the least restrictive environment to all students identified as handicapped. This right applies to students eligible for Special Education services as defined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA).
Students who meet the criteria for Special Education services as defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the California Education Code are placed on an Individual Education Plan (IEP). This plan outlines the academic goals the student is trying to achieve and the support services the school has put in place to assist the student in reaching these goals. Additionally, each student on an IEP is assigned a case manager who oversees this IEP and makes sure the student's needs are being met.
In order to meet the IDEA regulations and California Education codes, La Costa Canyon High School offers a variety of special education services to support students with a documented disability who are eligible for an Individual Education Plan (IEP).
Key links to help understand our Special Education program and find additional resources for support:
Who can refer?
Referrals can be made by teachers, parents, and appropriate professional persons, and from other members of the public.
When do you refer?
A pupil shall be referred for special education instruction and services only after the resources of the regular education program have been considered and, where appropriately utilized.
How do you refer?
All referrals must be made in writing. It is expected that the vast majority of referrals will originate at the site level as a result of the Student Assistance Process which ensures that the resources of the regular education program have been considered. Information regarding Child Find Referrals such as those from outside agencies or from parents of children not yet enrolled is available at (760) 753-6491.
LCC provides a continuum of service options at our site. The following are summaries of LCC’s service options:
General Education: The general education setting.
Liaison/Consult: Collaborative and/or consult service provided by an Educational Specialist/Liaison which allows students to be in the general education setting while receiving support from their case managers.
Special Education Supported Content Area Classes: General education classes co-taught with a General Education teacher and Educational Specialist. This service is not available in all content areas at our site.
Targeted Academic Intervention: Class taught by an Educational Specialist where students receive support on their IEP goals and receive elective credit in specific areas that meet their goal needs, such as English Language Arts, Math, and/or Executive Functioning Skills.
Foundational/Functional: Content area courses taught by an Educational Specialist that are modified and/or curriculum is at least two years below grade level. These courses do not meet A-G college prep requirements.
Related Services: Related services are provided to students by appropriately qualified specialists/service provider as specified in by the IEP. A service provider may work with a student individually, in groups, and/or through consult. The service provider is a team member who supports the student’s goal areas specific to their area of expertise.
La Costa Canyon High School offers specialized programs as part of the continuum of special education services for students with Individual Education Program (IEP). The specialized programs are utilized for students who may require unique instructional strategies and small group instruction. These services include the following:
Modified Program: The Modifed Program is a highly-supportive program that may be considered by an IEP team for moderate to severe special education students who benefit from a highly individualized and modified curriculum delivered in a mixture of both special education (Foundational or Functional) and general education settings (mainstreaming to the maximum extent appropriate). These students necessitate specialized small-group supports in order to benefit from their education. The specialized supports are tailored to address substantial needs in the skill areas including, but not limited to, foundational academics, behavior, pragmatics, health, community connections, career/vocational, social/interpersonal and independent living; individualization is determined based on each student’s needs. Functional courses are highly-supportive courses that may be considered by an IEP team for moderate/severe special education students who benefit from a highly individualized, modified, functional-skill based curriculum delivered primarily in the special education setting, with mainstreaming into the general education setting to the maximum extent appropriate. These students necessitate an increased amount of 1:1 or very small group supports in order to benefit from their education. The specialized supports are tailored to addressed significant needs in the skill areas including, but not limited to, functional/applied academics, behavior, pragmatics, health, community connections, career/vocational, recreation/leisure and social/interpersonal; individualization is determined based on each student's needs.
Learning Academy (LA): Learning Academy is a highly-supportive program that may be considered by an IEP team for special education students who benefit from co-taught grade level or College Prep (A-G) level general education curriculum and instruction, but necessitate specialized supports in order to access these settings and benefit from their education. The specialized supports are tailored to address substantial needs in skill areas including, but not limited to, behavior, pragmatics, executive functioning, self-regulation and transition. Learning Academy Students may travel in supported cohorts throughout both their special education settings (Academic Support or co-taught courses) and general education settings (Content Area courses) for a portion or majority of their school day; individualization is determined based on each student’s needs. Students have access to staff support throughout their school day.
Assistant Principal - Special Education
Nate Reinking
nathan.reinking@sduhsd.net
760.436.6136 ext: 6030
Program Supervisors
Jen Havlat (Mod/Severe)
jennifer.havlat@sduhsd.net