Supporting students with special needs following school changes

BVSD is committed to ensuring continuity of services for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) throughout the school closure and consolidation process.

As schools transition, all services and supports identified in each student's IEP will continue to be provided. The following guidance outlines the process for ensuring uninterrupted implementation of IEP services for students attending schools affected by closures or other school changes.

What families can expect during transition

Students with an Individualized Education Plan will continue to receive support, as outlined in the IEP.
Information about changes to specific Special Education programs is included in the school proposals.
Families with students in impacted Special Education programs will be contacted directly by the Special Education department.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when a student with mild/moderate services (often called resource level) or speech services is impacted by a school is closure, consolidation or move, causing the student to move to a new location?

The student’s enrollment and IEP services will move with all other students at the school. Engage with the guidelines and processes released about where your new school boundary is, where all students will be moving and the general open enrollment guidelines for families that want to consider another school option. Students with IEP services at this level will not be placed anywhere by special education.

What happens when a student who is served through an Intensive Learning Center for Autism or Affective Needs is impacted by a school closure, consolidation or move, causing the student to move to a new location?

The specialized program will be moved along with the whole school community. The student and their IEP services will move with the program to the new location, and the special education department will take care of the specific special education program placement/enrollment process. Just as students were placed at your site for the program, they will finalize the placement in this transition. Parents can expect a direct contact from the Special Education Director about the program move to address their questions and concerns and any alternatives if there is a request for a different location than the one that will move with the school community.

What happens when students with IEPs and other schools or groups of students are consolidated into your school?

The current students and their IEP services will remain at the current location and will have the benefit of the consolidated resources. If an ILC program will move to your school, then the Special Education department will work closely on the transition process for this change. Overall, this consolidation comes with incredible benefits, including more special education staff available to collaborate in professional learning communities and to have more flexibility for service delivery for students at this location. This includes more related service staff and more students with IEPs to be able to be grouped together for like services.

How do we ensure continuity of services for students with IEPs?

A student's IEP remains in effect regardless of the school they attend.
Special education is a district service, not a building-based service.
All services, accommodations, modifications, and supports identified in the IEP will continue.
Related services (speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, etc.) continue without interruption.
Transportation, if required by the IEP, will continue to be provided.
Receiving schools will receive detailed transition information so students are known, understood, and supported from day one.
Teams will collaborate before the transition to ensure a smooth handoff.
Whenever possible, we will thoughtfully consider staff assignments to provide continuity for students.

Questions?

Parents may contact the BVSD Special Education Parent Liaison for questions and discussion

Elizabeth Lichtenstein
elizabeth.lichtenste@bvsd.org
720-561-5918