Special Education

A continuum of services and options have been developed to meet the unique educational needs of students with disabilities. Special education is specifically designed for students whose needs cannot be met without accommodation and/or modification of the regular instructional program.

What is Special Education?

Special education means specially designed instruction (SDI), at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. Specially designed instruction means adapting as appropriate to the needs of an eligible child that result from the child’s disability and ensuring access to the general curriculum so that the child can meet the educational standards that apply to all children. Specially designed instruction may include instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings.

Related services may include:

• Transportation
• Speech and language therapy
• Audiology (hearing)
• Psychological services
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy

The Corvallis School District is here to fulfill the requirements of the federal Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which ensures that all children with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education.

Who Qualifies for Special Education?

Students determined eligible for special education services must meet all three of the following criteria:

• The student must have a disability or disabilities.
• The student’s disability/disabilities adversely affect educational performance.
• The student’s unique needs cannot be addressed through education in general education classes alone – with or without individual accommodations. The student requires specially designed instruction (SDI).

A diagnosis from a doctor or mental health professional alone is not enough to qualify for special education services. Information from a doctor or mental health professional is helpful, however, and should be provided to the school district when a referral is made.

Eligibility is based on a comprehensive initial evaluation. A comprehensive initial evaluation includes all of the existing data gathered about the student through the referral process and any additional assessments needed to determine whether a student is eligible for special education. The initial evaluation report is used to determine what special education and related services the student needs.

What Happens When a Student is Eligible for Special Education?

If a student does have a disability and is in need of Special Education, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for the student is prepared. An IEP is a written statement for a student with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with federal law. The IEP guides your student’s learning while in special education. It describes the amount of time that your student will spend receiving special education, any related services your student will receive, and the academic/behavioral goals and expectations for the year.

Your student’s IEP team will meet at least once a year to talk about your student’s progress and make any needed changes to the program. The required members of your student’s IEP team includes:

• The student’s parent(s) or guardian(s);
• At least one of the student’s general education teachers (if they are participating or could possibly participate in general education);
• At least one special education teacher;
• A representative of the school district who is qualified to provide, or supervises the provision of, specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, and is knowledgeable about the general curriculum and the availability of resources within the district;
• An individual who can interpret assessment results and the related instructional implications;
• Other individuals, at the discretion of the parent or the district, who have knowledge or special expertise regarding your student, including related services personnel, if appropriate; and
• Your student, if appropriate.

The IEP team is responsible for identifying and evaluating your student, developing, reviewing, and revising your student’s IEP, and determining the placement or setting where your student will receive special education services in accordance with the IEP.

Special Education Records Request