Specialized Academic Instruction & Related Services

Specialized Academic Instruction
Specialized academic instruction (SAI) is determined by the IEP team and is derived from assessment information, data collected, and goals/objectives developed in the student's area(s) of need. To ensure that students who receive special education services have appropriate access to the general curriculum, the team may determine supports needed by the student to make educational gains including adapting the content, approach or delivery of instruction. Services may be provided to students in a regular education classroom, in a separate classroom, in a special day classroom (SDC), or a combination of any of the aforementioned. Based on the special education student's specific needs, the IEP team may determine specific subjects, duration and location for general education mainstreaming as well as determine services the student receives. Each student's educational needs are unique; thus, SAI and services may vary greatly between students.

 

Least Restrictive Environment: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires for all students with disabilities to be educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE) that is most appropriate for them. LRE is typically the educational setting that is most similar to the setting/program attended by general education students.

 

SAI is the primary service provided to students who qualify for special education and is available at all Wm. S. Hart Union High School District school campuses. Depending on the unique needs of the student as well as the District's offer of a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to a regionalized program, SAI may include one or more of the following:

 

Consultation is between a special education teacher and general education teacher(s) to assist in providing instructional assessment adaptions and behavioral interventions, which allow students with special needs to benefit from their general education classes.

Monitoring of students is provided by a special educator through appointments, weekly/monthly/yearly progress reports and/or school-home communication.

Instructional support is provided by a special education teacher or instructional assistant to help students with special needs progress in their classes by assisting with their understanding of assignments and information being presented, and accommodating or modifying work to support students' needs. Instructional support may be provided in a general education class or separate classroom.

"It is not what is poured into a student that counts but what is planted." - Linda Conway

Related Services
When a student is identified with having exceptional needs (e.g., has been found eligible as a student who requires special education; thus, having been identified with having one or more educational disabilities), the IEP team may determine if related services are necessary to assist the special education student with making educational gains.

Related services may include:

• Adapted Physical Education (APE)
• Assistive Technology Services (AT)
• Audiological Services
• Behavior Intervention Services
• Braille Transcription
• Counseling and Guidance
• Health and Nursing
• Individual Counseling (ERICS)
• Interpreter Services
• Note Taking
• Occupational Therapy (OT)
• Orientation and Mobility Services (O&M)
• Other Special Education/Related Services
• Parent Counseling (ERICS)
• Physical Therapy (PT)
• Psychological Services
• Recreation Services
• Specialized Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
• Specialized Orthopedic Services
• Specialized Physical Health Care Services
• Specialized Services-Low Incidence
• Specialized Vision Services
• Transcription Services
• Travel Training


"There are two ways of meeting difficulties: you alter the difficulties or you alter the way you meet them." - Phyllis Bottome