Special Education

An SST is a multi-disciplinary team that considers, plans, and assesses general education interventions and supports for students experiencing academic, speech/language, and/or social-emotional/behavioral difficulties. This early intervention for struggling students through the SST process is a function of the general education program and not of special education. The SST process provides an opportunity for an in-depth focus on improving school success one student at a time. The purpose of the SST is to problem-solve and to identify supports in the general education setting that allow a student to be successful in that setting.

504 Plan: The 504 Plan is a plan developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the Rehabilitation Act and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives accommodations that will ensure their academic success and access to the learning environment. These accommodations and modifications must ensure that there is no discrimination because of the child’s disability.

Individualized Education Program (IEP): A legal document that defines special education services between the school district and the parents.

If you suspect that your child may have a speech/language problem, or if there is a family history of speech related difficulties (such as stuttering), submit a referral for a speech and language screening. The student’s speech and language difficulties must negatively impact their education in order to qualify for special education.

A diagnosis does not automatically qualify a student for special education-related services. If the student is having difficulties in the general education classroom an SST referral may be made. The SST may refer to the Special Education or 504 team for eligibility review. While the SST process is not a legal requirement before a special education assessment, documentation of interventions in the general education setting is a requirement.

The SST team will refer to special education when there is enough data to provide information to the following questions: When is the student able to access general education? What supports and interventions are successful? When is the child not able to access general education? What support and interventions have been attempted? What additional information is needed to help this child succeed? What will be available in special education that is not available in the general education setting? If the SST team feels that a referral to special education or 504 is imminent, then either special education or 504 personnel should be involved in the SST before a referral for assessment is made.

Talk to your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns. They will be able to provide Tier 1 interventions in the classroom to help support your child. If the teacher feels more support is needed, they may refer you to an SST who will work with you and the teacher to establish Tier 2 support. The SST team will gather data during the intervention stage to determine if your child is making progress. If sufficient progress is not made within the agreed upon time and it is determined through the data that your child requires more intensified support, the team will be able to initiate a referral for a special education evaluation.

If your child is struggling with social-emotional challenges and needs to speak with someone, our counselor is available to help guide your student to navigate through these challenges. Please submit your request by copying the link to your browser or by scanning the QR code below. Our counselor will reach out to you.