Elementary Special Education

Elementary Special Education

The U.S. Department of Education's Individuals with Disabilities Education Act presumes that the first placement option considered for each child with a disability is the general education classroom in the school that the child would attend if he/she did not have a disability.  The team must also consider what extra supports the student needs that will allow the child to be successful in his or her educational placement.

Co-teaching is the practice of pairing teachers together in a classroom to share the responsibilities of planning, instructing, and assessing students.  In a co-teaching setting, the teachers are considered equally responsible and accountable for the classroom.  We implement co-teaching between general and special education teachers who pair together to instruct students in the least restrictive environment.  Instruction is based on grade-level standards with accommodations and/or modifications as defined by the IEP.

The student then receives specially designed instruction through a special education class for the majority of the school day. The student is included, with support from co-teaching, in those parts of the general education classes when appropriate.  Instruction includes components of grade-level standards or power standards but also focuses on supplemental materials for minimizing gaps in their learning.  Students whose educational needs require smaller class size, individualized support, and alternative or modified curriculum for learning.

These instructional programs are offered at all elementary schools, including Pleviak.

EDUCATIONAL LIFE SKILLS (ELS):

Students receive specially designed instruction through a self-contained special education classroom for the majority of the school day. Students are included, with extensive support and/or modifications including an alternative curriculum to their learning day. Instruction includes the Essential Elements and may qualify for alternative assessments such as DLM and/or Alternate ACCESS.

These students need additional support for learning that is provided by smaller class size, functional curriculum and a modified academic program. These students may have extensive medical needs and multiple disabilities. 

Ellis Elementary has three ELS classrooms with one targeting students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) requiring intensive language supports. Pleviak also has one self-contained classroom with focus on ASD.

INSTRUCTIONAL

The student then receives specially designed instruction through a special education class for the majority of the school day. The student is included, with support from co-teaching, in those parts of the general education classes when appropriate.  Instruction includes components of grade-level standards or power standards but also focuses on supplemental materials for minimizing gaps in their learning.  Students whose educational needs require smaller class size, individualized support, and alternative or modified curriculum for learning.

LEARNING APPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS (LAB)

Students whose behavior needs are so significant that they require their general education academic curriculum be provided in a more restrictive educational setting. The classroom utilizes point sheets and behavior level systems.

Beach Elementary School has one LAB classroom and is a cross-categorical, multi-age instructional program for students whose social/emotional needs require a smaller class size with individualized support. Students attend PE and exploratory classes with their general education peers.

LOP

A cross-categorical, multi-age instructional program for students whose educational needs require a smaller class size, individualized support, and alternative or modified curriculum for learning throughout the school day. Students attend PE and exploratory classes with their general education peers