IUSD is committed to ensuring that all students receive the support and resources necessary to thrive academically and socially. Special education services can play a crucial role in fulfilling this commitment by providing specialized academic instruction and related services in inclusive environments as well as community based opportunities that are necessary for students to access their educational environment and build daily living skills.
Our special education programming within IUSD focuses on the distinctive needs of students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). These services encompass a wide range of support, including specialized programming and services at no cost to families, ensuring that financial constraints of a family do not hinder access to quality education. Our services include a broad range of programming designed to meet the diverse educational needs of individuals with exceptional needs. Some examples of programming offered within IUSD include:
- Specialized Academic Instruction within general education classes
- Specialized Academic Instruction within separate classroom settings
- Extensive Support Needs (ESN) Programming
- Behavior Intervention Supports
- Psychological and Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS)
- Early Intervention Services and Preschool Programming
- Irvine Adult Transition Programming (IATP)
IUSD uses the facilitated IEP process to assist with ensuring that all IEP team members are able to fully participate in the decision making process. If there is a disagreement at the IEP meeting, the District offers the opportunity for team members to participate in a facilitated alternative dispute resolution process to assist with resolving any disagreements.
We believe that collaboration between parents, educators and community agencies is integral to the success of our special education programming. The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is a testament to this collaborative commitment. Comprised of parents of children with IEPs, parents of general education students, educators and community agencies, the CAC works together to support activities on behalf of students with special needs.
The CAC serves in an advisory capacity to the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) administration, providing input for the Local Plan for Special Education and outlining annual priorities for special education that are shared with the School Board. We invite all interested parties to join our upcoming CAC meeting on November 16th at 9:30 a.m., where the CAC will discuss assessments, SMART Goals and staff roles.
For more information on IUSD Special Education and the CAC, visit the Special Education webpage.