Student Programs and Services

Enrollment Procedures Q & A whhelchair

How are students referred to Special Education?

Referrals may be initiated by a parent or teacher that has a concern regarding a student’s educational performance.
The Student Support Team (SST) reviews the data regarding the student and offers strategies to the teacher.
If the child does not make progress, a meeting is held to determine whether the child needs a comprehensive evaluation to determine special education eligibility.
Parents are members of the IEP team that decides if the child is eligible. The decision must be made within 60 calendar days of when the school receives informed parental consent for testing.
A comprehensive evaluation shall be conducted by the school psychologist and speech and/or language pathologist (SLP) depending on the suspected disability.
Eligibility is determined by the Individual Education Program team.
Students determined ineligible for Special Education Services are referred by the SST for continuation of strategies.

What should you do if your child has an Individual Education Program (IEP)?

Students that transfer from one APS school to another APS school should report your new address to the special education contact person at your school. Depending upon the type of service your child requires, your child may be able to remain in his/her current placement.
Students that transfer into the APS district from an outside district should bring their IEP and other special education paperwork to the neighborhood (zone) school. The IEP team will convene and review all appropriate documentation and make a placement decision. If required services are not available in your neighborhood zone school placement at an appropriate school will be provided.

Who is the first person to contact about my child's education?

If you have a question about your child's education there is a chain of command to follow, the first person to contact is your child's: