SPECIAL EDUCATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
District Organization
What programs does the district offer?
The district offers a full continuum of services to address student need, from services that are “pushed in” (received within the student’s classroom) to “pull out” services (received in a specialized setting). In addition to services, the district also offers a continuum of program options within district, from Learning Resource Centers, available at each school site, to a variety of Special Day Classes designed to cater to specific student need. We offer Special Day Classes at Mission Estancia, Olivenhain Pioneer and La Costa Heights, designed to support grades K-6 with significant learning challenges. At Park Dale Lane we offer the Personal Development and Learning Program, designed to support students with behavioral and self-regulatory needs. The district accesses programs throughout the SELPA when we are unable to support a student’s needs within district, and we access specialized programs outside of the SELPA when needed. The district also operates an early childhood program for students ages 3-5. This program is located on the grounds of Flora Vista Elementary School.
The district supports the full range of potential student needs, either through an in-district program or when necessary by accessing programs outside of the district. In all cases, we are committed to educating students in the least restrictive environment.
Who is my child’s IEP case manager?
Once your child becomes eligible for an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), a case manager will be assigned. Typically, this will be a special education teacher, but it might be a speech pathologist if speech and language is the only service your child receives.
How are SPED classrooms supervised by the district administrative staff?
The RISE, TIDE and PDL special day classrooms (SDCs)are primarily supervised by the Program Specialist, with support from the school principal and the Executive Director of Student Services. A program specialist generally serves as the administrator at the RISE, TIDE and PDL IEP meetings and provides program support to staff. For the SDC classrooms, the program specialist is the initial point of administrative contact for parents. Parents are always welcome to contact the school principal or Executive Director of Student Services as well. The early childhood program has a program specialist who supports administrative needs day to day and additional support is provided by the Principal of Flora Vista Elementary school, in collaboration with the Executive Director of Student Services.
What is the district’s Quality Assurance process in special education programs?
The district reviews assessment data regularly to assure student growth. State testing is part of this review, as is a review of progress on IEP goals. School principals review student report cards to assure progress as well. Special education teachers are evaluated by the school principal, with input from the Executive Director of Student Services.
What kind of training is offered for SPED staff?
Special education staff receive a wide range of ongoing training opportunities. The Educational Services department offers teacher trainings 4 times a year. Principals also offer trainings at school sites on select Friday afternoons. In addition, special education staff meet in job-a-like groups with the Executive Director of Student Servicesl twice a year to receive updates in best practices and legal issues and for consultation. Special education staff also attend an “All SpEd” trainings each year. Our instructional assistant staff participate in 8 trainings per year offered during conference weeks and join for 1 Educational Services training each year. Sample training topics offered include: technology use, social facilitation, curriculum modification, supporting behavior, etc. Our special education teachers also met twice a year for full day trainings tailored to their specific needs. Finally, special education staff are able to access NCCSE sponsored trainings on a variety of topics throughout the year. All sites maintain a team of professionals trained in CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention). This team receives bi-annual refresher trainings. Finally, our district often participates in research projects with local universities, which provide additional training opportunities to staff.
What is the difference between the Special Day Classes and the Learning Resource Centers?
Special day classes support needs of students who typically require more significant learning support, and as a result may require a smaller more flexible environment with a higher teacher to student ratio. The SDC’s run like classrooms, so they are the child’s primary classroom environment. The students enrolled in SDC programs access the general education setting for mainstreaming as well.
The IEP Process
What can parents do to prepare for an IEP meeting? What resources are available via NCCSE and EUSD to prepare for IEP meetings?
NCCSE offers a useful resource for this topic. You can access it at:
https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1730412850/sdcoenet/f3x7hgex5inbmiwk1wdz/NCCSE_Guide_to_Special_Education_eng.pdf
About how many students in the district have IEPs?
The national average is between 10-15% of the entire student population and EUSD falls within this average.
Who in the district office can a parent contact as a first point of action if they have issues with their child’s placement?
A parent should start with their child’s case manager. If after speaking with the case manager the parent has additional questions or concerns, they can speak with the program specialist (if the child is in a special day class) or with the school principal or the Executive Director of Student Services.
What if I reach an impasse with my IEP team? What is the resolution process?
Reach out to the program specialist or the Executive Director of Student Services. We will try to work collaboratively to resolve any issues. If you are still not satisfied, you could reach out to Heidi Marshall at Heidi.marshall@sdcoe.net, the NCCSE parent liaison, at 760-761-5120. You can also read about the Resolutions for Student Success (RSS) process at https://www.nccse.org/families/resolving-disagreements
What is assistive technology? How can I get help from the district in getting the right AT for my child?
Assistive technology refers to an “item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability.” It does not include a medical device. Your district IEP team staff often have knowledge of assistive technology options to support your child and may make recommendations at an IEP meeting. The district also has access to the Assistive Technology (AT) department at NCCSE, where AT professionals can offer additional consultation to IEP teams, conduct formal AT assessments and trial equipment. For more information regarding assistive technology please go to https://www.nccse.org/resources-and-programs/assistive-technology
INCLUSION
How does inclusion of students with IEPs work in the district?
Students in special day classes are assigned a general education classroom. Students in SDC programs are considered full member of both their SDC classroom and their general education classroom. For instance, they are included in class parties, field trips, special events in both classrooms, to the maximum extent possible. IEP teams discuss general education opportunities at the IEP meeting, and determine the best times and activities for the student to join in the general education setting and the accommodations or modification the student will require. Students in the early childhood program are included with students in a general education YMCA preschool program on site at Flora Vista.
What inclusion programs are offered at various school sites?
Inclusion is not a “program” it is a mindset. We believe that our students should be included and be full participating members of their school. We also offer specific buddy programs at the sites with SDC programs. Two weeks a year we offer Inclusion in Action lessons as part of our TRAC program and events at the school sites.
How can I get involved in supporting the development of a specific inclusion program?
Contact one of EUSD’s CAC parent representatives, or if your school PTA has a Special Needs Parent Liaison, please contact them.
Who is responsible for inclusion at my school site?
Your child’s case manager and their general education teacher are jointly responsible.
How can I best communicate with the teacher in the gen ed classroom that my child is assigned to?
Reach out by phone or email!
What does the district’s Inclusion in Action initiative entail? How can I get involved to promote better understanding between special ed and gen ed peers?
Each school site develops the Inclusion in Action activities for their site through the efforts of the TRAC teacher and special ed parents and staff. If your site has a PTA Special Needs Parent Liaison, you could contact that individual. Otherwise, speak with your child’s case manger to let them know you are interested in helping with Inclusion in Action activities.
Parent Resources
What is NCCSE and what events/workshops do they organize for free to families?
NCCSE stands for North County Consortium for Special Education. NCCSE offers a variety of event and workshops available to families of student with special needs. Please go to www.nccse.org for up to date information or to https://www.nccse.org/families/workshops-for-families
How can a parent of a child on an IEP get involved in the PTA, to address special education topics/issues?
Attend a PTA meeting and let them know you are interested! If your PTA has a Special Needs Parent Liaison, communicate with them, if not, suggest to the PTA that they consider supporting this position.
What activities and events does the district organize for families? How can I volunteer?
Each year the district offers several family events, collaboratively sponsored by the Special Education Parent Council, the Student Services Department and our CAC representatives. Information about upcoming events is communicated via email, if you have provided an email address to your case manager on the IEP, and sometimes through flyers that come home in your child’s backpack. Information will also be posted on the Special Education Parent Council website as well at https://www.eusdspedparentcouncil.com/
. In a typical year we offer a Welcome Back Picnic early in the year, a Movie Night in October, a Family Dance in February and a Family Fun Day and Resource Fair in April. Our Special Education Parent Council also holds monthly Coffee Meet-ups, usually on the first Wednesday of the month and 4 afternoon park playdates on select Friday afternoons at Stagecoach Park. Details will be sent via email and is also available at the Parent Council website at https://www.eusdspedparentcouncil.com/
If you would like to volunteer for an event, please contact your site Parent Council Rep or reach out to Maria Waskin at maria.waskin@eusd.net.
What extracurricular activities via the school are available to my child?
Community groups offer a variety of after school activities to students. Each school site offers slightly different options. Check at your school site to see what is available.
What parent-to-parent resources are available?
The district has two CAC parent representatives who can address questions you may have.
What summer educational programs are available to my child?
The district offers an extended school year program for students who qualify for this service. It is a 4 week, half day program, typically offered in July. IEP teams determine student eligibility for this service, which is designed for students who have demonstrated significant loss of skills over extended breaks. All students lose skills over summer break, ESY is for students who exhibit significantly greater regression that would require significantly greater recoupment time once the school year begins.
Community Resources
Where can I get a list of current after school activities in the wider community suited to my child?
NCCSE posts this information on their website at www.nccse.org. You might also contact the NCCSE Parent Liaison, Heidi Marshall. 760-307-1509.
Can I post information about a good extracurricular program that my child has participated in for the benefit of other families?
The district has a review process for any community resource flyers or promotional material. You can submit material to Janine Aurora (Janine.aurora@eusd.net) in the business department for review.
What kind of organizations participate in the NCCSE Resource Fair?
NCCSE hosts an annual resource fair, typically in February, where vendors and community organizations provide parents resource material about the programs and services they offer. A wide variety of vendors and organizations participate.
What summer recreational resources are available to my child?
The NCCSE community resource fair would be a good place to find out about these opportunities in our area. You might also contact Heidi Marshall, NCCSE Parent Liaison at 760-307-1509.
