Students with disabilities have unique learning profiles with multiple intelligences and learning challenges. The goal of Special Education is to provide educational support services for students that qualify. These services are decided upon by a team of people including the student, caregiver/guardian, general education teacher, special education teacher, district representative and at times, related service providers.

Services include, but are not limited to:

  • collaboration and teaming of professionals (in school and out of school with permission granted)
  • appropriate accommodations and modifications in the classroom setting to support individual student access and engagement in grade level learning activities
  • individualized instruction targeting skill growth and to meet learning goals
  • frequent monitoring and teaming focused on effectiveness of practices for each student’s growth in general education

The ultimate goal of special education services is to dismantle barriers for individuals to learning in the classroom setting with peers, provide effective inclusive practices that support engagement with purpose in grade level content through accommodations and modifications, and to collectively review instructional practices with the team to adjust to meet individual learner profiles. High expectations for all learners with equitable access to educational opportunities is the Castle Rock Vision and what our department strives for.

Frequently Asked Questions

If your child is of preschool age, please email preschool@crschools.org to connect with an educational professional about your concerns.  You can also call 360-501-5410 for assistance to gather additional information about how the school district can support you.  Our preschool department offers developmental screenings for children to gather information to determine if additional special education assessments are necessary.  It is our goal to provide “child find” services for children and families in the community so that early intervention services can be provided promoting students’ future independent learning success.

If your child/student is in Kindergarten through 12th grade, please connect with your child’s classroom teacher and/or the building principal.  Castle Rock School District is currently building a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that includes you in the process to ensure necessary and equitable learning supports for all students.   Students’ unique learning needs and progress is monitored so that staff can determine if instruction and research based interventions for targeted skill development are effective.   Inquire with your child’s classroom teacher and/or building principal about this system of support if you have concerns about your child’s learning as this is a system that is highly flexible and can have significant positive impact on growth and learning!  Following the support from an MTSS team and implementation of multiple interventions, and a student does not demonstrate adequate growth, the MTSS team will refer the student for a special education evaluation to determine if the student meets criteria for an educational disability.

School districts abide by Federal, State, and Local level laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.  Child and parent rights are protected by laws which highlights:

  • Disability is a natural part of human experience
  • Presence of a disability does not diminish individual rights compared to peers and those rights are protected
  • Equitable opportunities and full participation in a free and appropriate education
  • Monitoring of the effectiveness of instructional efforts
  • Self sufficiency and independent living.

Link to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) with additional guidance for families and parent rights~ OSPI Parent Rights and Procedural Safeguards

Special Education WAC and Federal IDEA  “The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 is the federal law that guarantees free appropriate public education (FAPE) is provided to eligible students with disabilities. The Washington state regulations on special education can be found in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 392-172A. Included below are the state and federal laws and regulations that provide the regulatory and statutory basis for special education services in Washington”

Link to Federal Law: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Washington Administrative Code (WAC)  Chapter 392-172A WAC contains cross references to the federal regulations:  Rules for the Provision of Special Education

Resources

OSPI: What is Special Education?
OSPI: How Special Education Works
OSPI Special Education Evaluations
OSPI IEP Process
OPSI Special Education Evaluations

The Special Education Process

(Following Multi-tiered Systems of Supports in K-12)

  • 1

    Referral for Special Education Evaluation to determine eligibility

    Once the district receives a written request for evaluation in any form/format, they have 25 school days to review information about the student, including school and medical records and information from parents, and decide whether to evaluate the student for special education eligibility. If the district decides to evaluate, it must obtain written and informed consent from the parent prior to beginning the initial evaluation.

  • 2

    Individual Education Program (IEP)

    An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written statement for a student eligible for special education that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with state and federal laws. The IEP guides your student’s learning while in special education.

  • 3

    Annual Review of IEP

    Your student’s IEP team will meet at least once a year to talk about your student’s progress and make any needed changes to the program.

  • 4

    3 Year Re-evaluation to determine continued eligibility/need

    A re-evaluation is used to confirm your student’s continued eligibility for special education and related services.