Special Services

The Clintondale Community School District offers programs and services that may assist your child with their education.

The vision of the Special Services Department in Clintondale Community Schools is to enable and empower our students with special needs to develop to their maximum potential in their school and community.

Our mission is to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities by providing instruction and training to enable them to have access to, and make progress in, the general education curriculum. We offer a full continuum of services and programs across the district. Students determined eligible for specialized instruction or related services through the IEP team process may have access to the following programs and services.

Students who reside within the Clintondale community and are determined eligible to receive specialized instruction or related services through the evaluation and IEP team process, and who are not more than 25 years of age, and who have not yet graduated from high school are provided services across a continuum of settings in order to meet their unique educational needs. These settings may include home, community, preschool, elementary school, middle school, or high school buildings located throughout the district depending on their level of need. In addition to our district-based programs and services, for students who experience more complex learning needs, we also have access to, and cooperatively support, programing through MISD Center-Based Programming.

Section 504 And Americans With Disabilities Act

Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are civil rights laws that guarantee that “no otherwise qualified person shall be excluded solely on the basis of a disability.” This means schools must identify students who have disabilities and provide supports and services to ensure these students have the same opportunity to access all programs and activities at the school they are qualified for despite the disabilities.

To qualify for a 504 plan, there are two requirements:

• A child has any disability, which can include many learning or attention issues.
• The disability must interfere with the child’s ability to learn in a general education classroom. Section 504 has a broader definition of a disability than IDEA. That’s why a child who doesn’t qualify for an IEP might still be eligible for a 504 plan.

Examples of disabilities which are addressed by 504 plans include ADHD, diabetes, asthma, depression and health-related issues.

Speak to your child’s teacher or the student assistance team to ask about an evaluation for ADA/504.

Special Education Assessment

If you and your child's school have tried a variety of changes in general education and they have not been effective, the student assistance team will make a referral for special education assessment. Parents can also request an assessment at any time.

You should submit your request in writing, date it and note all areas of concern. Return the request to the school administrator or counselor. Special education is guided by legislation called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Within 10 days of your request, you will receive either:

• An Assessment Plan noting areas in which your child will be assessed; or
• A notice that the district declines to assess, with reasons given. You have the right to appeal this decision.

If you receive the Assessment Plan, you must sign it and return to the school.

Within 30 days of receipt of the signed Assessment Plan, all assessments will be completed and an Individual Education Program (IEP) meeting will be held to discuss your child’s eligibility. If your child is eligible, an IEP will be developed. An IEP will include specific goals to address your child’s needs, and services to support those goals.

Helping Your Child Succeed

The following can help support your child's success:

• Make sure that your child comes to school well rested, on time, well fed and ready to learn. Eligible families can access free or reduced lunch services by applying at the school.
• Talk with your child’s teacher. Be sure to talk about your child’s strengths as well as any concerns and special needs.
• Review and assist with homework. Make sure there is a special time and place for your child to do homework.
• Ask for regular progress reports. Make sure you seek access to PowerSchool parent portal for electronic progress checks.
• Celebrate your child’s small successes.
• Participate in conferences and other meetings about your child.
• Make a list of specific questions to ask during parent/teacher conferences. For example, ask how your child learns best and what additional help may your child need.
• Ask how extra help is being provided. By whom? How often? How long? Ask how you can support the school’s efforts at home.
• Offer to volunteer at your child’s school, if you can.