Special Education Department

Welcome to Charter School of the Dunes Special Education Department!


*Charter School of the Dunes (CSOTD) has developed policies and procedures in concurrence with the federal and state regulations and guidelines to ensure a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment to all school-age children, including those with disabilities.

Screening Process

When students experience difficulties in school, teams will meet to develop interventions to help students be successful in regular education. At both the elementary and secondary levels, the Response to Intervention Team (RTI) accomplishes this work. This team uses a “Response to Intervention” approach, aiming to provide the right amount of intervention necessary within the general education setting.

If a student continues to experience difficulties even with regular education interventions, the student may be referred for a multidisciplinary evaluation by the multidisciplinary team, which includes the student's parents.


Evaluation Process

Parent permission is necessary before any evaluation can take place. The parent is notified in writing of the types of assessments that will be given and the proposed date(s) of the evaluation.

An evaluation team reviews all pertinent data and compiles a report called a Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team Report which states whether a disability or disabilities exist and if the student is in need of special education. Parents are members of the evaluation team and will be asked to provide relevant information.

The entire evaluation process for initial evaluations must be completed within 50 school days (20 School days for referrals from RTI) from the date CSOTD receives signed parent permission on the "Evaluation Review and Consent" form. A copy of the evaluation reports will be given to the parents and a summary of the report will be communicated to them.

If a student is found to be eligible for special education, the parents will be invited to a Case Conference Committee meeting to complete an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Students eligible for special education must meet one or more of the criteria established by Article 7 of the Indiana State Board of Education Title 511 Rules:

- Autism Spectrum Disorder

- Blind or Low Vision

- Emotional Disability

- Deaf or Hard of Hearing

- Deaf/Blind

- Cognitive Disability

- Orthopedic Impairment

- Other Health Impairment

- Specific Learning Disability

- Language or Speech Impairment

- Traumatic Brain Injury

- Developmental Delay (Early Childhood)

A reevaluation is considered annually and if deemed appropriate, conducted within appropriate timelines.


Individual Education Program Process

The IEP is developed by a team, which includes some members of the evaluation team as well as the parent(s), the special education teacher, a school administrator, and instructional strategist, the regular education teacher(s) and sometimes the student. The IEP includes a description of the programs and services necessary to assist an eligible student. Information that is contained in the evaluation reports, as well as information collected from the student’s progress in the general curriculum is used to write the IEP.

The student's program is reviewed every year at a Case Conference Committee meeting or more frequently at the request of an IEP team member, which includes the parent(s).

The Case Conference Committee will write annual goals that can be measured and are designed to meet the needs of the student. The Case Conference Committee will determine special education services and programs. The annual goals will be evaluated on a regular schedule and parents will be notified of progress of these goals in writing.

The location and level of placement are determined at the Case Conference Committee meeting and are based upon the least restrictive environment where the student can successfully achieve his or her goals. The Least Restrictive Environment would include providing special education services and programs provided outside the general education classroom only when supports and services cannot be provided successfully within general education classroom.

CSOTD considers a full continuum of services when determining an appropriate program for every student with a disability.


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINKS BELOW:

Parental Procedural Safeguards for students within the state of Indiana: http://www.doe.in.gov/exceptional/speced/docs/2008-10-14-ProceduralSafeguards.pdf

Indiana Department of Education: Center for Exceptional Learners:
http://www.doe.in.gov/exceptional/

US Department of Education: Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP): http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AT CHARTER SCHOOL OF THE DUNES CONTACT:

Principal - Christine McKenzie
860 North Lake Street
Gary, IN 46403