Special Education Overview
Student eligibility
All students birth-21 years old are eligible for specially designed special education services. Students qualify under guidelines established by federal law and directed in each state by the Department of Education.
The following are eligibility categories established by federal law P.L. 101-476, Individuals with Disabilities Act (I.D.E.A.), 1990.
-Autism Spectrum Disorder -Other Health Impaired -Communication Disorder
-Emotional Disturbance -Deaf/blindness -Specific Learning Disability
-Hearing Impairment -Traumatic Brain Injury -Mental Retardation
-Vision Impairment -Orthopedic Impairment
Services provided to students
Services are specifically designed based on individual needs of the student. These are provided by a teacher qualified to teach in the area of the disability or by regular education staff with the consultation of the specially qualified teacher or specialist.
These services may include a combination of the following:
-Evaluation - Augmentative communication
Consultation - Autism Services
-Specially designed instruction - Modifications to the curriculum
-Hearing services - Speech therapy
-Assistive technology - Physical therapy
-Occupational therapy
These services may be provided in any of the following settings or combinations of settings:
- Regular Classroom
- Learning Resource Center
- Alternative School
- State Operated Programs (Oregon School for the Blind, Oregon School for the Deaf)
- Residential Treatment Programs (Oregon State Hospital)
The students who should be referred include any student who has or is suspected of having problems related to:
- Behavior
- Learning
- Health
- Hearing
- Speech and Language
- Motor skills
- Vision
When a student is referred for services, a screening occurs and/or an evaluation may be recommended. Trained staff, which might include a school psychologist, speech clinician, testing specialist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, autism specialist, will complete observations, conduct diagnostic evaluations and gather information from a variety of sources. All initial evaluations are made with the signed permission and knowledge of the parent and/or guardian. Parent/guardian input is considered at all stages of the evaluation, eligibility and placement.