Dear Thompson Community:
One of the things I am most proud of about our district is the fact that our entire staff and Board of Education is truly committed to providing an excellent education to each student. Children do not all learn in the same manner; some students need additional support to help ensure they will be successful. Our amazing staff members in the district’s Exceptional Student Services department work very hard to help provide these important opportunities.
Special education is highly regulated by federal and state laws and because of this, the provision of services looks quite similar in school districts across the nation. People sometimes ask, “What makes special education so special?” In Thompson School District, the answer is “our people”–our students, parents, families, staff, special education providers, principals, administrators and our community members who all come together with a commitment to educate each student. Our special education students comprise about 13% of the total student population.
Specialized instruction and related services are delivered in every school in our district, including the charter schools. Within the district, a continuum of services is available to meet the unique educational needs of each student who is eligible to receive special education services. Contrary to popular belief, special education is not about a place for students to go to; it is about instruction that is specially designed for students with disabilities so they can make progress in the general education curriculum, with their grade level peers, to the greatest extent possible. This is accomplished by our inclusive practices philosophy. A majority of students with an IEP receive universal instruction and special education and related services in the general education classroom 80% or more of the time.
For those students who require services outside of the general education classroom, they may access this in what we call a “learning center.” Students may receive specialized instruction and related services through collaborative models of co-teaching and/or co-treating, differentiated instruction, or individual and small group instruction. Students who require more intensive services may access services in combination with the general education setting and the Intensive Learning Center (ILC). Students identified with intellectual disabilities and/or multiple disabilities (a child with two or more areas of significant impairment, one of which is an intellectual disability) often require programming in ILC center-based programs. ILC programs provide specialized instruction aligned with Colorado’s Extended Evidence Outcomes, and focus on the development of functional academic skills, communication, social skills, adaptive skills and life skills. ILC programming is designed to increase students’ independence throughout their education.
Students served in affective needs classrooms experience skill gaps that may be related to a variety of special education disability categories including but not limited to Autism Spectrum Disorder, Serious Emotional Disability or Other Health Impairment. Placement in a center-based program is a special education process determined by each student’s IEP team.
Some transition age students attend our community-based program and receive support based on their Individual Education Program (IEP) in order to progress in their post-school goals. The 18-21 Community Connections Program serves students with significant needs after their four years of high school. The program focuses on independent living skills, community access skills and pre-employment skills.
“Related services,” including occupational therapy, speech-language counseling, physical therapy, and nursing services are examples of support that may be required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. Our school district also has a Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). SEAC meets monthly with district staff to discuss projects they are interested in, and to provide feedback about educational experiences for students with disabilities and their families. Anyone interested in attending SEAC meetings or joining the SEAC board should email tsd.seac.communication@gmail.com.
Supporting each student throughout their educational journey has been and will continue to be our key focus here in Thompson School District. I am grateful not only to our dedicated staff members, but also our entire community for providing us with the support and tools we need. Thank you for all that you do to help make this important work a reality.
Sincerely,
Dr. Marc Schaffer
Superintendent
Thompson School District