Special Education Needs
Cedar Ridge School offers a variety of Special Education services for eligible students with disabilities. If your student is having difficulties in school, it might be helpful to determine if he/she has a disability and therefore, requires special education services. The Utah State Board of Education Rules for Special Education and IDEA require that a free, appropriate public education, including special education services, be provided for students who are determined to have a disability. Areas of disabilities include specific learning disabilities, emotional disorders, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, hearing impairments, speech and language disorders, visual impairments, and health disorders to name a few. If you believe your child has a disability that is affecting his/her learning, you are invited to take the following steps:
· Contact your child's teacher. Together, analyze the problem and try to develop some interventions that can be tried at school and at home. Document the impact of the interventions.
· Conference with the teacher to determine if the interventions being tried are working. Consider modifying and adjusting the interventions.
· If it is apparent the interventions are not working, you or your child's teacher should complete a referral for evaluation. A parent, or any member of the school educational team can suggest that a referral for evaluation be completed.
· Your child's teacher will present the referral to the school's Special Education Team for review. The team consists of the Principal, Psychologist, Resource Teacher, Speech Teacher, Regular Education Teacher and other invited professionals. The team may recommend that additional interventions be tried, or they may seek a parent's written permission for evaluation. "Permission for Evaluation" form will be sent to the parent.
· Once the school has received permission to evaluate, the evaluation process will begin. Professionals qualified to administer and interpret tests complete the evaluations. It is important to note that no single instrument is used to make a disability determination.
· The results of the evaluation will be shared with you once the evaluation is completed. You will be asked to participate in making the decision regarding your child's eligibility for Special Education services under the regulations approved by the Utah State Board of Education. You will also be asked to participate in the development of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) if your child is found to need special education services.
Cedar Ridge School seeks to meet the needs of all students. If you have questions or concerns concerning your child's educational program, we invite you again to contact your child's teacher and/or the Principal. You may contact the school by calling 785-8726.
Thank you,
Principal Susan Mattinson, M.Ed. |
