The Resource Program at Albany Elementary offers a variety of
services to students with mild disabilities. The services range
from indirect monitoring of students to direct assistance with
regular curriculum assignments and curriculum taught in the
Resource Room in the areas of reading, language, spelling, and
math. We also provide services for moderate/severe abilities
students for the Delaware Community Schools.
Currently, a full-time special education certified teacher
services students Monday through Friday. In our
severe/moderate classroom, two full-time special education teachers
and four
instructional assistants staff the program.
The special education referral process for possible services
must start with
a Response to Intervention (RtI) team meeting to discuss students who
are experiencing difficulties in their classrooms. Recommendations
from the team can range from modifications in the classroom and
in-house screening to referrals for psychological testing.
Parents are involved in the entire process. Parents can also
directly request psychological testing for their child; however,
under special education law, the psychological testing cannot be
used to determine whether a child is eligible for special
education services.
State and federal guidelines are followed in qualifying
students, and services are rendered based on those qualifying
areas and the students' needs. An Individualized Education Plan (I.E.P.)
is developed for each student who is enrolled in the program. If
an individual needs additional services, such as counseling,
occupational therapy, or physical therapy, those services are
included in the plan and performed by trained professionals. For
those students needing greater services, Albany Elementary is part
of the Delaware/Blackford Special Education Cooperative.
Services for mild disabilities students are provided at Eaton
Elementary and services for severe/moderate students are
provided here at Albany.
An Annual Case Review is held every year to review progress,
discuss existing needs, and write goals for the upcoming school
year.
