Who is eligible? Any student is eligible when identified within one of the categories of disability as defined under state and federal definition and demonstrates an education impact as determined by the Special Education Team.

Eligibility Classifications

The categories of disability that must be met in order for students to qualify for special education include:

• autism 
• cognitive disability
• deaf-blindness
• developmental delay
• emotional disturbance
• hearing impairment including deafness
• multiple disabilities
• orthopedic impairment
• other health impaired
• specific learning disability
• speech or language impairment
• traumatic brain injury
• visual impairment including blindness.

What happens in the evaluation process?

Every school has a Building Intervention Team (BIT) that processes referrals from parents, staff, or other concerned parties of students who are experiencing educational difficulties.  The BIT reviews information and designs appropriate intervention(s) to assist staff in providing alternatives.  The BIT is responsible for referring students to the Special Education Department for further evaluations if these alternatives are unsuccessful.

After obtaining the parent’s/legal guardian’s written consent, the Special Education Department will conduct an assessment of the student that includes teacher and parent/legal guardian interviews, testing, and classroom observation(s).

The Special Education Department is comprised of individuals knowledgeable in the area of the suspected disability, as well as persons familiar with the student’s background.  The purpose of the evaluation is to determine if the student is eligible under one of the existing disabilities.
If the Special Education Team determines if the student is eligible, special education and related services may be initiated to provide appropriate educational services