Students must be provided a continuum of placement options (a variety of possible settings) in which the student will receive his/her education. (Reg. 300.551)

After the IEP has been written, the IEP team considers the placement options. Joint School District #2 provides the following options for placement within the Special Services program:

General Education Classroom with Consultation from Special Education:

Your child will remain in the regular classroom with special services staff working with your child's teacher and supporting the academic program in the context of the regular classroom.

 

General Education Classroom with Resource Support:

Your child will remain in the regular classroom for the majority of the school day. The resource room teacher will provide academic support both in the context of the classroom and within the resource room. Specialized materials and curriculum adaptations will be used to assist your child in achieving success.

 

General Education Classroom with Extended Resource Support:

Your child will be provided continuous support from special services staff. The curriculum for your child will be adapted and modified to meet his/her unique learning needs. Instruction will occur both in the regular classroom and within the extended resource room.

 

Special Education Day School:

Your child will receive instruction from special education personnel in a separate school or in a program located at an off-campus site. You student will receive instruction congruent with the general education curriculum and may participate in parts of the general school program that are appropriate.

 

Home or Hospital Support:

If your child is in need of home or hospital support due to medical implications, your child can receive educational tutoring until he is ready to return to school.

The IEP team must first develop your child's IEP before discussing placement options. It is the educational strengths and needs, and the services necessary to address those needs, that will be considered in the placement decision. The IEP team must first begin considering placement options at the neighborhood school with the following sequence of questions:

• Can this student's educational needs be met in the regular classroom in the neighborhood school?
• What supplemental aids and services will be necessary to meet the student's needs in the neighborhood school?

If the student's needs can be met in the neighborhood school, then the student should attend that school. If the IEP team agrees that the student's needs cannot be met in that setting, then another placement should be considered. The alternative placement must be as close as possible to the child's home.

REMEMBER:
Your child cannot be placed in special education without your permission. Make sure that you understand the reasons for the recommended placement of your child.