PROCESS FOR REFERRAL OF SPECIAL NEEDS
A referral for Special Education needs can be made to the Saint Paul Schools by the classroom teacher working with the learning specialist. This is a formal, lengthy, well established process with structured and specific guidelines.
In order to begin the assessment process, you need to work closely with your child's classroom teacher. Parents (as taxpayers) should contact the person in charge of non public special education in the district where they live. The classroom teacher and the learning specialist can help with this and guide you through this process. Saint Bernard's may also adapt and modify your childs instruction and curriculum as needed in order to help your student succeed if there are special learning considerations. The specialist is also there to be an educational advocate for your child should s/he need to use the services of the public schools while attending Saint Bernards. The specialist will oversee and manage any referrals, interventions, assessments, individual education plans, 504 plans, and other special needs services involving the public school district.
RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION
The new standard for determining Eligibility for Special Education in most districts is the Response To Intervention model. Coupled with the Saint Paul Schools discrepency model and based on the results, a student may be determined to be eligible for services after a 16 week intervention strategy, followed by formal evaluations, and assessments that involve achievement and cognitive testing. This approach is typically comprehensive and meant to be both evaluative and prescriptive.
THE SAINT PAUL SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF 16 WEEKS OF INTERVENTIONS BEFORE DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT TO ASSESS.
This means the process for referral and determining eligibility for services is very time consuming. It is important that the process begins as early in the school year as possible. |
