Ruidoso Municipal School District Procedures For The Provision Of Special Education Services For Students With Disabilities And Gifted Students
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A. What is Special Education?
Special services provided by special and regular education personnel to meet the needs of a student with disabilities. Specifically, special education is a provision of the general education curriculum with modifications and accommodations, if agreed upon by a multidisciplinary team, including the parents, known as the Individual Educational Program (IEP) Team.
B. How are students identified for Special Education services?
Special education is provided through a child-centered education process. Collaboration between school and home is essential if students are to achieve benefit from special education. The child-centered educational process begins with public awareness activities, which inform the community of educational opportunities for students with disabilities. Referrals from teachers, parents and a variety of other sources lead to the identification of students who may need special education. Once a referral is made, a comprehensive individual assessment will be conducted. The purpose of the assessment is to determine: (1) if a physical, mental or emotional disability exists; (2) if a significant educational deficit exists; and (3) the student's specific learning competencies.
If a student is eligible for and requires special education services, an Individual Education Program (IEP) is developed by an IEP team, which includes parents and school representatives. The IEP outlines the special education instructional and related services a student is to receive.
This plan is reviewed at least annually.
C. Who is eligible for Special Education?
Special education services are provided to eligible students, 3 to 22 years of age, who may have one or more of the following disabilities and an educational need that requires special education support and services:
* orthopedic impairment *speech impairment
* other health impairment * autism
* Intellectually Disabled* traumatic brain injury
* multiple disabilities
* learning disability * auditory or visual impairment
D. What are some Special Education programs and services?
VOCATIONAL TRAINING REGULAR CLASSROOM SUPPORT
TRANSITION PLANNING SELF- CONTAINED SERVICES
RELATED SERVICES EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
COUNSELING HOMEBOUND PROGRAMS
SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FOR THE DEAF
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PHYSICAL THERAPY
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SERVICES BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST SUPPORT
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSESSMENT SERVICES
ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
E. Can all Ruidoso schools serve a child with a disability?
Special education services are provided at all Ruidoso campuses.
F. What is the process for a child to start receiving special education services?
If the student has been in special education in a previous school district, the Ruidoso School will hold a Temporary IEP Team meeting when the student registers so that the student may start receiving services immediately. Another IEP Team meeting is scheduled within 30 school days after enrolling, to determine the appropriate supports and program.
If the student has not been in special education previously, but parents or staff are concerned a disability may exist, a Student Assistance Team (SAT) meeting is convened to consider ways to meet the student's educational needs. A full range of services including, but not limited to the possibility of special education is considered during the SAT meeting. The least restrictive setting where the students’ needs can be met will be designed.
G. Is there someone I can call to get information on Ruidoso’s school's special services or to get further assistance?
Call (575) 630-7000 and ask to speak with to the Special Education Director, Melvina Edmister.
SERI: Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI) is a collection of Internet accessible information resources of interest to those involved in the fields related to Special Education. This collection exists in order to make on-line Special Education resources more easily and readily available in one location.