Special Education

At SoWashCo Schools, we provide a comprehensive program for students with unique learning needs. We offer a continuum of services to address student needs in the areas of: academics, social and emotional wellbeing, behavior, nursing, communication, and assistive technology.

The district offers special education and related services for all of the 13 disability categories, and serves approximately 2,800 students age birth through 21. SoWashCo Schools offers a wide range of service delivery models to include home-based services for infants and toddlers and a wide variety of school-based services for school- aged students. Students aged 18 through 21 have transition services in a variety of settings to provide post-secondary education, independent living skills, and employment opportunities to assist students with the transition to life as a young adult.

The philosophy of SoWashCo Schools is to provide a continuum of services and to support students in their neighborhood schools to the greatest extent possible. We are proud of our continuous improvement and progressive program development to meet the changing needs of students.

Contact

Erin McKoy
Interim Director of Special Services
651-425-7206
emckoy@sowashco.org

A student standing at Vail's Afton Alps by the ski chair lift

SoWashCo Schools is currently partnering with Vail's Afton Alps in a supported job training arrangement for identified Special Education students to gain work experience in the community. Through this unique opportunity, students are learning valuable life skills that will help them prepare for their adult lives.

Programs and Services

SoWashCo Schools offers a continuum of services to meet student's needs in the least restrictive environment. Below is a list of available supports should your child require specialized services.

Resource Room

The Resource Room is a special education service that supports a student with a learning difference with specialized supplementary instruction in a small group setting for a portion of the school day. Resource room programs are for the purpose of supplementing the general education or special education classroom instruction. Special education teachers may provide direct, indirect, team teaching or resource support depending on the student need.

Center-Based Programs

Center based programs consist of students with learning differences who have been grouped together because of similarity of individual needs for the purpose of receiving specially designed instruction in a self -contained setting. Students in a center based program are receiving their primary instruction separate from their non-disabled peers. Center based programs provide services for students with autism spectrum disorders, developmental cognitive delay, emotional behavior disorders and other health disabilities.

Related Services

Transition Services

Transition services address needs in the areas of post-secondary training, employment and independent living. These needs are assessed and services are provided beginning by grade 9. South Washington County Schools offers a transition program for students up to age 21 who have completed their academic goals for high school credits but continue to have identified needs in one or more of the transition areas of post-secondary training, employment and independent living. Students are taught marketable employment skills and are supported in their efforts to find meaningful competitive or supportive employment along with exploration of post-secondary training opportunities.

Restrictive Procedures Plan

RESTRICTIVE PROCEDURES PLAN