K-12 Special Services - Kearney School District

Individualized Education Program

Students ages 3-21 determined eligible for special education will receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP describes the special education services and goals that will be focused on each year for services. The IEP team includes the parents, student (14+), teacher, special education teacher, related service providers, an individual who can interpret evaluation results and a local educational agency representative. The IEP is reviewed annually, or more often, if a team member feels changes need to be made based on the student’s present level of performance. Parents may request an IEP team meeting at any time. Parents will receive quarterly progress reports with information how their child is progressing on IEP goals.

Services are provided to meet the needs of each students’ individual needs. Services may include the following based on the areas of need and/or eligibility:

Hearing Services
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Special education instruction
Speech and Language Therapy
Vision Services including direct vision instruction and Orientation & Mobility (O&M) provided through the Multi District Program for the Visually Impaired Blind

Instructional Support & Placement Options K-12

COLLABORATIVE IN-CLASS SUPPORT

A student is served in the general education classroom with special education staff directly providing periodic assistance to the student. Special education staff also works with general staff to design accommodations or to modify the curriculum and/or materials. This includes a Class Within a Class model for 6-12 grades for students needing a co-teaching model in regular education classes.

LIFESKILLS

Students who need highly specialized services in a more structured environment to meet their individual needs and spend the majority of their instruction outside of the general education classroom may need instruction in the lifeskills classroom, in addition to supports provided in the general education environment. The IEP team determines the best program to meet each individual students’ needs.

Elementary – Hawthorne Elementary offers the Dynamic Learning Center (DLC) for students with special needs who need a more structured, individualized setting.

RESOURCE / CROSS-CATEGORICAL

Resource/cross-categorical classrooms are available for the special needs student who needs a smaller learning environment. Instruction is provided in addition to the general education classroom, to work on IEP goals. Students receive instruction from a special education teacher in an individual or small group setting outside of the general education classroom.

SECONDARY SERVICES (6-12th Grades)

BASIC MATH OPERATIONS

This class focuses on providing appropriate instruction in basic mathematical operations. Skills such as budgeting, managing a checking account, instruction in counting money, practicing measurement skills, and learning about time are included.

CAREER EXPLORATIONS

Career Exploration is an active class that explores the possibilities of employment, careers and work for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEP). The class explores employment, volunteering, assisted employment, workshops and other opportunities available to students. Additionally, related issues of transportation, job seeking, interviewing/selling yourself and other employment issues are discussed.

COMMUNICATION ARTS

This class provides functional reading and writing skill instruction. Students are provided an opportunity to read instructionally appropriate materials that enhance and strengthen their skills. Writing skills instruction focuses on writing for vocational purposes, as well as basic communication.

MODIFIED REGULAR EDUCATION/CLASS WITHIN A CLASS

Students with disabilities are scheduled into a team-taught class with a regular class teacher and a special education teacher. The special education teacher’s role is to provide classroom modifications, which allow students to be successful in a regular class setting. Class-within-a-class options are available in most core academic classes.

RESOURCE / CROSS CATEGORICAL

Resource, cross-categorical and self-contained classrooms are available for the special needs student who needs a more restrictive learning environment; class sizes are small with one teacher providing more individualized learning opportunities for the student.

Resource rooms – Students receive instruction from a special education teacher in an individual or small group setting outside of the general education classroom.

LIFESKILLS

SPECIAL EDUCATION CO-OP WORK/STUDY

This is a program operated jointly by the school district and Vocational Rehabilitation. Special Education students determined eligible by Vocational Rehabilitation criteria may receive credit for vocational training and employment. Vocational counseling, on the job training, and vocational evaluation are available to eligible students.

STRATEGIES (MIDDLE/JR HIGH) – This is a resource class offered to special education students for support in the regular classroom. This class is offered on a daily or alternating basis. It is designed specifically to work with students on the goals and objectives of their current IEP that address their involvement and progress in the general curriculum.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING AT EXCELSIOR SPRINGS

The Excelsior Springs Technical School offers both morning and afternoon sessions in vocational training. Classes are paid for by the district. Transportation is provided. Student selection for the Excelsior Springs Technical School is based on successful completion of prerequisites, good school attendance and an interest in career and technical education. Coursework is offered in business technology, computer maintenance, electronics, culinary arts, industrial welding, health sciences, mechanics, building trades, and heating and air conditioning.