There are many difficulties a student may encounter in school. School District 160 is committed to minimizing difficulties through intervention, including provisions for a variety of special education services.
In order to determine possible areas of need, the district holds a number of annual screenings. Each spring, three and four year old children who reside in School District 160 are invited to a screening that includes vision, hearing, large and small motor skills, speech, language and concepts development areas. A similar screening is also held in the fall of each year for all kindergarten students.
If screening results indicate possible problem areas, a more intensive comprehensive case study evaluation in initiated. Parents, teachers and others who are involved with a student may also request a student screening by contacting appropriate building principals or the Office of Special Education Services.
A continuum of free special education services for students age 3-15 years are available through School District 160. The intensity of programming ranges from support services to private residential placement. Services and programs include:
- Behavior, Disorder and Emotional
- Blind or Partially Sighted
- Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- Home/Hospital
- Learning Disabilities
- Mental Impairment
- Multi-handicapped
- Neurological
- Early childhood
- Occupational Therapy
- Parent/Infant (ages 0-3)
- Psychiatric
- Psychological
- Physical/Health Impairment
- Physical Therapy
- Speech and Language
- Social Work
- Psychological and Counseling Services
School psychologists, social workers and counselors, are employed by the school district to assist in evaluating and placing students with special needs in programs more suited to them. The psychologists and counselors also assist teachers and parents in advising them about progress and performance.