Some people often have questions about the resource programs within schools and the following statements may help to answer some of these questions.
What is a Resource Program?
The resource program at Custer Elementary provides educational services for students who verify for special education. Students who qualify can receive support through inclusion, pull-out services, or consultative services.
How do students verify for Special Education?
Students have to be tested with permission from parents in order to see if they qualify for Special Education. The tests will determine if a student meets the requirements to be placed in a Special Education program. All of the requirements come from Rule 51-Regulations and Standards for Special Education Programs. To find out more about the requirements, visit the Nebraska Department of Education website, or click on this link to go directly to Rule 51 http://www.nde.state.ne.us/LEGAL/RULE51.html
What is Inclusion?
Inclusion started in the 1990s and continues today. It provides a way for special education students to stay within the regular classroom and still receive support from special education. Special education students who receive support through inclusion have help from the special education teacher or a para-educator within the regular classroom setting. The special education teacher and regular classroom teacher communicate to help provide the educational support these students need to succeed within the classroom.
What is a Pull-out Service?
If a student is receiving pull-out services, then this student is being taught outside of the regular classroom. Some students come into the resource room for 30 minutes to receive extra support in areas that they struggle in, or students may come for support during a certain subject. Pull-out services depend on the need of the student and what the parents want for their child.
What is an IEP?
IEP stands for Individual Education Program. Each student who qualifies for special education has to have a special program. When a student becomes verified according to Rule 51 an IEP meeting is held. The IEP team consists of the student’s parents, principal, regular education teacher, and the special education teacher. Other members may also be present depending on what the student qualified for in special education, this may include the following: speech/language pathologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, audiologist, deaf and hard of hearing educator, and other specialist determined by the verification. When this team meets, they go over what the student needs educationally. The team discusses the student’s level of functioning, long-term and short term goals, services that will be provided, and if the student will receive pull-out services or inclusion services.
What is an MDT?
MDT stands for Multidisciplinary Team. This team consists of all the people who evaluated the student, parents, regular classroom teacher, and a school representative. The evaluators may include but are not limited to the following people: school psychologist, speech/language pathologist, special education teacher, and any other specialist that is needed to evaluate the needs of the student. The MDT team meets to discuss the results of the tests given to the student. The results determine if the student qualifies for special education. Parents decide on what they think is best for their child based on the results and discussion from the meeting. If the student is verified for special education services, then an IEP meeting will be held within 30 days.
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- If you have any questions about our resource program please feel free to contact Nikki Johnson at (308)872-2503 or by email at nijohns@bbps.org .
- Click here for Elementary Special Services home page.
- Back to Miss Johnson's Resource Room
- Click here for Sandhills Educational Services Cooperative for more information on Special Education services.
