Everything an E.S. May Want To Know

About Special Education...

But Didn't Know Who To Ask!

 

Often times, when students enroll in our school, they've received special education services in their previous public school. When this is the case, parents indicate this on the enrollment application, and it is forwarded to our special education office. Before the student is accepted in our charter school or assigned to an ES, the parent is required to send us a copy of their student's most recent Individualized Education Program (IEP). Since the IEP is a legally binding document that must be immediately implemented when the student begins attending our school, we must have a copy in our possession before a student agreement is signed. DO NOT complete a Student Agreement (enrollment paperwork) for a student with special education needs unless the youngster has been cleared through our special education office. If you have questions or are in doubt, please call us first before enrolling the child! Our phone number is 619-698-5437.

 

If a parent falsifies information on an enrollment application, and it is later determined either via the ES or Cumulative Folder review that the information on an application was incorrect regarding current or previous special education services, the student can be dis-enrolled for falsifying the application. It is therefore imperative that an ES ask again about special education services and supports (either past or current) prior to signing a student agreement with their families. If a family indicates they have had special education in the past, but there is nothing provided with student enrollment information, STOP the enrollment process and contact the special education ASAP!

 

Once you have enrolled a special education student, contact our Special Education office either by telephone or by e-mail within 24 hours of completing the Student Agreement. Please email both ajudge@ieminc.org and mtaylor@ieminc.org.This is critical since we are on a legal timeline to hold an IEP meeting within 30 calendar days to officially review the previous special education plan, and rewrite an IEP using mandated countywide forms.

 

For students who have not received special education services, but there are concerns:

If your student is not keeping pace in grade level curriculum and is not meeting grade level standards, it is time to refer the student to the Personalized Learning Team (PLT) process.  Please complete a PLT referral form to request a Personalized Learning Team meeting. Be sure to document all modifications that have been made to the student's curriculum, etc. in the learning records. Terry Leppien, Literacy Director, is the primary contact for PLTs:

tleppien@connectingwaters.org

Office: 800-808-9895, Ext. 5, then Ext. 1

 

By serving you, we are assuring the success of our families and their students. If questions arise, please contact us at (619) 698-5437. We will be happy to assist you.

(Please note, participation in the PLT and 504s are considered a part of general education; ES participation is considered a function of the ES job.)

(Should you have difficulty reaching a student’s special education service provider(s) to discuss concerns, or curriculum strategies feel free to contact the special education office.)

Special Education Department