Special Education Services
Our Special Education Department is dedicated to providing exceptional support and resources to students with diverse learning needs. We believe that every student deserves access to a high-quality education tailored to their individual strengths and challenges.
Our team of experienced educators, specialists, and support staff are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive. We work closely with students, families, and educators to develop individualized education plans (IEPs) that address each student's unique needs and goals.
Through specialized instruction, accommodations, and assistive technology, we aim to empower students with disabilities to reach their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally. Our department offers a range of services, including:
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP) development and implementation
- Access to assistive technology and adaptive equipment
- Specialized instruction in academic and social-emotional skills
- Collaboration with general education teachers and support staff
- Transition planning and support for life after graduation
We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and respect, where all students are valued for their unique contributions. Our goal is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed and thrive in school and beyond.
If you have questions related to special education services in the Forest Grove School District, please contact any member of our team.
Sincerely,
Director of Student Services
FGSD Special Education Information
Special Education Guiding Principles
All students are general education students first.
All students should be within the general education classroom to the maximum extent.
All students should remain in their neighborhood schools.
Services should be based on student needs.
Parents are valued members of the team.
All students will have access to quality Specially Designed Instruction.
Child Find
The Forest Grove School District (FGSD) is seeking assistance in locating children with disabilities (birth through age 21) who have not graduated from high school and currently are not attending nor receiving other special services from public schools.
Oregon and federal law mandate educational services for children with disabilities. FGSD provides educational programs and services for eligible children from kindergarten through age 21. Services provided are appropriate to each child's disability.
The Northwest Regional Education Service District provides educational services for eligible children from birth to kindergarten. For children younger than kindergarten, please telephone the NWRESD at 503-614-1446.
Parents, guardians, or anyone who knows of a child (age five through 21) with a disability currently not receiving educational services are asked to notify the special education contact person in the child's home school or contact the District Student Services Department at 503-359-2403.
For students enrolled in private schools within the Forest Grove School District, please contact the Student Services Department at 503-359-2403 and refer to the Private School Plan information below.
Understanding Special Education Process
Response to Intervention and MTSS
Each school in the Forest Grove School District has a system of intervention in place to identify and address the learning needs of every child from the moment they enter school. These systems help to determine if your child needs additional support to make expected gains. The data gathered through these systems help to identify if a child may be experiencing a disability. Please contact your child's principal or classroom teacher if you have concerns about your child's academic progress.
What is Special Education?
To qualify for special education services, a child must have one of the identified disabilities AND the disability must adversely impact their educational performance AND they need specially designed instruction in order to make adequate progress. Every school district has the legal responsibility to identify, locate and evaluate children who are in need of special education services. The law calls this Child Find.
Referral for Special Education Services
At any time, anyone concerned about the progress of an individual student who suspects the student may be experiencing a disability, that person may make a referral for special education services. You may contact your child's teacher, principal or school counselor if you suspect your child may be experiencing a disability.
Special Education Evaluation
At the Referral Team meeting, a decision will be made as to whether or not there is enough information to suspect your child may have a disability. The team may decide there is not enough information to move forward with an evaluation, refer the student back to the RtI team or proceed with an evaluation for special education services.
Determining Eligibility
After the evaluation process has been completed, an eligibility determination will be conducted. The team will use the available information and the established eligibility criteria for the disability category(ies) being considered to determine if the student is eligible to receive special education services. A reevaluation of services is conduced every three years for students that are eligible for services.
IEP
Once a student is found eligible, the team will create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that addresses the students present levels of performance, the skills and goals that he/she needs to learn, the services that will be provided, as well as the accommodations or modifications the student needs to access curriculum. A student's IEP is reviewed annually although a team member (includes parents) can call a meeting at any time by notifying the student's case manager.
Private School Plan
The Forest Grove School District (FGSD) is committed to serving students whose parents have enrolled them in private schools that are located within the district boundaries.
When parents or private school staff members suspect that a child may have a disability, a referral is made. Forest Grove Special Education staff members convene a team that includes the parent and private school teacher to review the concerns and determine whether an evaluation is warranted. If the team determines that an evaluation for special education eligibility is necessary, FGSD Special Education staff members will complete the evaluation after gaining written parent consent. The team reconvenes to consider the results of the evaluation and determine whether the child meets Federal and State guidelines for eligibility under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
“Child Find”, the process described above, is available at no cost to parents or private schools and applies to all schools (for profit and non-profit) within the FGSD attendance boundaries.
For students attending non-profit private schools that are found eligible for special education services, a Service Plan is developed. The Service Plan specifies what FGSD staff members will do to support the child’s learning in the private school setting. The menu of options is determined each year after consultation with private school representatives. For 2019-2020, that menu includes the following:
- Up to 120 minutes/month of direct service from a Speech Language Pathologist.
- Up to 60 minutes/month of consultative services from a licensed special education teacher.
Child Find referrals from concerned parents and private school staff members can be made by calling Student Services at 503-359-2403.
Helpful Websites
Deaf-blind/Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services
Forest Grove School District provides both district and contracted services. For contracted services we partner with the Northwest Regional ESD (NWRESD).
Any child who is eligible for special education in Oregon because of a hearing impairment (see Oregon Administrative Rule 581-015-0051 for criteria) is potentially eligible to receive services at the Oregon School for the Deaf.