Overview

Cardiff School District is committed to providing a free and appropriate public education to students with exceptional needs, as mandated by federal and state laws. These laws require the district to identify, locate and assess students who may have disabilities, and to provide appropriate services to eligible students. Services are provided based on the individual needs of the student and the recommendation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team.

Cardiff School District works collaboratively with the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education (NCCSE) to provide a continuum of specialized academic instructional programs and services for students with exceptional needs who require support through an IEP. If you suspect your child may require special education support, please contact his or her teacher or the site principal.

Specialized Academic Instruction

Specially designed instruction is provided through an IEP, and occurs in a variety of forms and settings. In order to comply with state and federal law, specialized instruction occurs in the least restrictive environment (LRE), ensuring that a student with exceptional needs shares the school experience of his or her non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. Models in use at Cardiff and Ada Harris schools include the following:

• Consultation between special and general education teachers on behalf of students

• Support provided to students during specified times within the general education classroom

• Support and/or reteaching provided to students during specified times in a separate location

• Intensive support and/or modified curriculum provided for the majority of a student's core academic instruction in the general education setting or in a separate location

• A combination of the above

Related Services

Related services (sometimes referred to as DIS, or Designated Instructional Services) may be required for a student with exceptional needs to benefit from his or her educational program. These services may include, but are not limited to:

• Speech and language therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Adapted physical education.

Eligibility and need for related services is determined through the IEP process.

Regional Programs

Regional programs, provided through schools in neighboring districts, are available for those students with higher needs, who require more intensive services than can be offered within Cardiff School District. Should your child require these services, Cardiff's special education coordinator and/or program specialist will assist you and your child through the process, and will continue to participate as a member of your child's IEP team once placement is made.