All people learn at different rates and have areas of strength and areas of weakness. Some students have such weaknesses that it makes it difficult for them to access the general education curriculum, interfering with their academic progress. The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) is a federal law that sets guidelines for schools to ensure all students receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), as required by law. Below is a brief description of the process for providing a student with special education services.
The special education process is long and complicated. It is designed to take a thorough look into significantly struggling students to gain a better understanding of exactly where they are struggling and why. When we have this specific understanding of students, we can figure out how best to meet their needs. It can be a very intimidating experience for students and families, but the teachers and special education teams work hard to help families through each step with the goal of creating happy, self-confident, life-long learners.