Program » Special Education

Special Education

Sycamore Academy provides special education instruction and related services in accordance with the IDEIA, Education Code requirements, and applicable policies and practices of the Special Education Local Plan Area (“SELPA”). Sycamore Academy complies with all state and federal laws related to the identification of students with special needs and the provision of special education instruction and related services and all SELPA policies and procedures and utilizes appropriate SELPA forms.
 
Sycamore Academy understands that all children with disabilities residing in the community, including children with disabilities who are homeless or are wards of the court and children attending private schools, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, and who are in need of special education and related services must be identified, located and evaluated. Sycamore Academy personnel will actively seek out children in need of special education and related services in compliance with Child Find including, but not limited to, careful analysis of all student files and data, parent and family communications and community notices.
 
Individualized Education Plan: An Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed, reviewed and revised for each child with a disability who requires special education and related services in order to benefit from his/her individualized education program. A review of each IEP will be conducted on at least an annual basis to review a student’s progress and make appropriate revisions.
 
Eligibility and Placement: Decisions regarding eligibility, goals/objectives, program, placement, and exit from special education is the decision of the IEP team. Team membership follows compliance with state and federal law and includes all required representatives.
 
Educational Services and Programs: To the extent that the agreed upon IEP requires special education or related services, Sycamore Academy provides and/or arranges such services. To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities are educated with children who are not disabled. Special class, separate schooling, or other removal of a student with disabilities from the general educational environment, occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of the student is such that education in general classes with the use of supplemental aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
 
Sycamore Academy may request related services (e.g. speech, occupational therapy, adapted P.E., nursing, and transportation) from its SELPA, subject to SELPA approval and availability. Sycamore Academy may also provide related services by hiring credentialed or licensed providers through private agencies or independent contractors.