SPS Continuum of Special Education Services
A Guide to Special Education in Seattle Schools
Una guía para la educación especial en las escuelas públicas de Seattle
Una guía para la educación especial en las escuelas públicas de Seattle
Five K-12th Primary Placements
Developmental Preschool (3-5 years old) Students in these programs may transition into any of the 5 primary placements (or general education only if no longer qualify)
Together IEP teams will select the SPS Primary Placement that best aligns with the student’s IEP for the upcoming year. While the placement defines a special education home base and case manager for each student – it never supplants that student’s IEP. Primary Placement may change through the IEP process due to significant progress, or lack of progress.
Special Education Programs offered at North Beach are:
Developmental Preschool
Where: Room 2
What: Program designed for 3-5 years old provide high quality early childhood environments where activities are designed by Special Education Teachers and Therapists to meet the individual developmental needs of students. Preschool sessions run morning and afternoon M, T,Th,F . Currently serves approximately 15 Students and typically grows throughout the year as students turn 3 and/or are identified through Childfind
Resource Room (offered at all SPS schools)
Where: P7
What: Students spend the majority of their school day in general education classrooms, receiving specialized instruction per IEP either within general education classroom (push in), or individual and/or small group instruction (pull out). Examples of curriculum that may be used: Linguistic Remedies, Michelle Garcia Winner Curriculum, and SuperFlex. Currently serves approximately 20 students but can fluctuate
Access
Where: P7
What: More intensive instruction; students spend majority of day in in general education classroom with support as needed, May receive some instruction in smaller group learning environment, modifications or use of alternative curricula utilized as appropriate but varies per IEP. Currently serves 10 students
Focus
Where: Room 1 and 14
What: Participation in the general education curriculum at present level of performance, but varies per IEP. Majority of instruction provided in small group learning environment with modifications or use of alternative curricula as appropriate but varies per IEP. Currently serves 10 students
Lexicon of Terms and Acronyms:
Individual Education Plan (IEP): is a plan or program developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services. The IEP has statement(s) of present levels of performance as well as annual goals and objectives. Reviewed annually
Areas of Qualification for Specialized Services:
504 Plan: A student's 504 plan specifies accommodations, which are adaptations and modifications that will help the student be successful academically and in the classroom. Reviewed periodically
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) In the U.S. is a special education law that mandates regulation for students with disabilities in order to protect their rights as students and the rights of their parents.
Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE): A cornerstone of IDEA, our nation's special education law, is that each eligible child with a disability is entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet the child's unique needs.
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): The least restrictive environment clause states that students with disabilities should be educated with students without disabilities to the maximum appropriate extent. Schools and public agencies are required to have a continuum of alternative placements for students with disabilities.
Para Professional (Para Pro) and Instructional Assistant (IA): Support staff who under direction of special education teacher assist with instruction, implement behavior support systems, assist with progress monitoring (e.g. data collection). May work with students in small group or in larger classroom environment.
INCLUSION in education refers to a model and philosophy wherein special needs students are active members and participants in the school community. They may spend most or some of their school day with general education students with support as needed. Inclusive models may still provide for the use of small group settings to support students with disabilities and best meet individual needs.
Food for Thought
Benefits of Inclusive Educational Settings for All:
Diverse and inclusive communities benefit everyone. Our special education programs are a tremendous asset and opportunity for our school community as a whole
Do you have concerns regarding your child's development?
- Resource Room
- Access
- Focus
- Social-Emotional
- Distinct
Developmental Preschool (3-5 years old) Students in these programs may transition into any of the 5 primary placements (or general education only if no longer qualify)
Together IEP teams will select the SPS Primary Placement that best aligns with the student’s IEP for the upcoming year. While the placement defines a special education home base and case manager for each student – it never supplants that student’s IEP. Primary Placement may change through the IEP process due to significant progress, or lack of progress.
Special Education Programs offered at North Beach are:
- Developmental Preschool
- Resource Room
- Access
- Focus
Developmental Preschool
Where: Room 2
What: Program designed for 3-5 years old provide high quality early childhood environments where activities are designed by Special Education Teachers and Therapists to meet the individual developmental needs of students. Preschool sessions run morning and afternoon M, T,Th,F . Currently serves approximately 15 Students and typically grows throughout the year as students turn 3 and/or are identified through Childfind
Resource Room (offered at all SPS schools)
Where: P7
What: Students spend the majority of their school day in general education classrooms, receiving specialized instruction per IEP either within general education classroom (push in), or individual and/or small group instruction (pull out). Examples of curriculum that may be used: Linguistic Remedies, Michelle Garcia Winner Curriculum, and SuperFlex. Currently serves approximately 20 students but can fluctuate
Access
Where: P7
What: More intensive instruction; students spend majority of day in in general education classroom with support as needed, May receive some instruction in smaller group learning environment, modifications or use of alternative curricula utilized as appropriate but varies per IEP. Currently serves 10 students
Focus
Where: Room 1 and 14
What: Participation in the general education curriculum at present level of performance, but varies per IEP. Majority of instruction provided in small group learning environment with modifications or use of alternative curricula as appropriate but varies per IEP. Currently serves 10 students
Lexicon of Terms and Acronyms:
Individual Education Plan (IEP): is a plan or program developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services. The IEP has statement(s) of present levels of performance as well as annual goals and objectives. Reviewed annually
Areas of Qualification for Specialized Services:
- Cognitive/Academic- primary service provider Special Education Teacher
- Social-Emotional-primary service provider Special Education Teacher
- Adaptive/Life Skills: primary service provider Special Education Teacher
- Speech & Language: primary service provider Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)
- Occupational Therapy: primary service provider Occupational Therapist (OT)
- Physical Therapy: primary service provider Physical Therapist (PT)
504 Plan: A student's 504 plan specifies accommodations, which are adaptations and modifications that will help the student be successful academically and in the classroom. Reviewed periodically
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) In the U.S. is a special education law that mandates regulation for students with disabilities in order to protect their rights as students and the rights of their parents.
Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE): A cornerstone of IDEA, our nation's special education law, is that each eligible child with a disability is entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet the child's unique needs.
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): The least restrictive environment clause states that students with disabilities should be educated with students without disabilities to the maximum appropriate extent. Schools and public agencies are required to have a continuum of alternative placements for students with disabilities.
Para Professional (Para Pro) and Instructional Assistant (IA): Support staff who under direction of special education teacher assist with instruction, implement behavior support systems, assist with progress monitoring (e.g. data collection). May work with students in small group or in larger classroom environment.
INCLUSION in education refers to a model and philosophy wherein special needs students are active members and participants in the school community. They may spend most or some of their school day with general education students with support as needed. Inclusive models may still provide for the use of small group settings to support students with disabilities and best meet individual needs.
Food for Thought
- “People First” Language. (students with special needs vs. special ed students; child with autism vs. autistic child)
- Disability is a form of Diversity
- Embrace and Celebrate our differences (not just Tolerate or Accept)
Benefits of Inclusive Educational Settings for All:
- Studies show that all students can benefit from the resources available in an inclusive educational settings. The special education teacher and/or instructional assistants may help all students in an inclusive classroom, not just special education students.
- Students participating in successful inclusive educational settings have reported or demonstrated increased empathy and respect for others as well as greater appreciation and awareness of individual differences
Diverse and inclusive communities benefit everyone. Our special education programs are a tremendous asset and opportunity for our school community as a whole
Do you have concerns regarding your child's development?
- Make your concerns known to your child's teacher and possibly pediatrician
- Listen to your instincts- You know your child best
- Some of the following may be considered to determine eligibility: Parent information and reports, teacher information and assessments, screenings and/or evaluations conducted by school psychologist or related service provider
- Diagnosis and/or a qualification for special services does not change who your child is. Services and resources are intended to support you and your child
- Child Find, an IDEA mandate, seeks to locate all children with disabilities who would benefit from public services. They provide an initial referral point for children not enrolled in Seattle Public Schools. If you suspect a child has a disability, they are over the age of three, and are not currently enrolled in SPS you may contact Child Find for a screening or referral at: 206-252-0805