How do I request special education records?

Requesting special education records for your student is avaiable through the completion of this Parental Access to Special Education Records Form

Please know that a validation of identification process is required in review of FERPA, IDEA and confidentiality standards.   There may also be a fee noted for request that involve additional copies. 

Specific information regarding special education records, access & confidentiality is located on our legal notices and updates website page.  

When in-person learning fully resumes, how many CASE students will there be per classroom?

This depends on the number of families that select in-person instruction. The district and campus administrators will ensure that class sizes are balanced so we can promote social distancing and safe practices.

How will self-contained special education teachers/paras work with high-need students to ensure masks are work and safety-protocols are following?

We are suggesting face shields and gloves for teachers and paraprofessionals who work with high-needs students to provide an extra layer of protection. Once we know which students will be returning to face-to-face instruction, we will work with each campus to ensure that students are divided into groups so that social distancing can be promoted in those classrooms. We will support teachers and paraprofessionals in building lessons to help the students learn new routines and practices that must be in place to ensure that our classrooms are safe for all.

How will teachers/paras promote masks among self-contained students?

We will teach, practice, and support. These classes are designed to teach life skills and hygiene and safety are life skills.

Will medically-fragile students attend school on level Orange?

Parents always have the option of keeping their students at home through our Empowered Learning At-Home option. If they have chosen the Safety-First In-Person option, then they will have the choice of returning to the classroom for in-person instruction in the Orange.

If my child is supposed to receive small group learning due to being in special education, or because they are in RTI and needing small group interventions, what will that look like for those students learning at home?

We will continue to provide small group instruction virtually when remote learning is in place. During synchronous learning, teachers will have scheduled time for small group interventions. If a student was scheduled to receive specially designed pull out services, the special education teachers will be expected to work on IEP goals and objectives with individual students or students in small groups outside of the lessons provided by the general education teacher. Students slated to receive co-teaching services or in class support will be provided those services during synchronous instruction.

How will special needs children benefit from online learning?

We understand the challenges that may confront students with special needs as we work to provide services in a virtual environment. Some students eligible for Special Education thrived during online learning, other families prefer face-to-face. Teachers will teach each day to all students, and we are continuing to implement IEPs. With parental consent, we can provide Teletherapy services for Speech, counseling and other specialized services.

Will my student’s IEP be put in place? What resources will be available to those students who did not thrive during online learning?

Yes, IEPs for all students will be followed. Parents will have the option for in-person instruction when it is safe for students to return to school. Teachers will be charged with providing services to all students requiring specially-designed pull outs in small group or individualized online sessions. Co-teaching and in class support can be provided as the general education and Special Education teacher collaborate in lesson design and implementation.

For our students needing more intense, structured support, their teachers are charged with the responsibility of consulting with parents to determine what individual supports might be put in place to support student learning. We will continue to provide the packet alternative to those students for whom online learning is not as valuable.

There are several online and curricular resources for students in special education that will continue to be available this fall. These can be found on the Special Education web page.

What is the maximum number of students that will be allowed in a classroom?

The answer depends on the Decision Meter status and may vary by classroom.

How are you going to make the number of kids in a classroom smaller?

We know some families will choose the Empowered Learning At-Home option, which will decrease the number of students in our buildings. We will be using all space to ensure we can safely educate our students. We will follow all best social distancing practices in the classroom but are not providing a cap since we have different classrooms of different sizes so some may be able to accommodate more students than others.

If a child goes to daycare, how will their daily instruction work?

Spring ISD district officials have been coordinating with day care centers in our community and sharing the details of our Empowered Learning At-Home option. The goal is for students attending daycare to be able to log in and complete their work when their teacher is providing direct instruction.

Will plexiglass dividers be provided by our district for classroom use?

Yes, the district will provide plexiglass dividers where appropriate and needed.

What if my student has a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask?

Students who are unable to wear masks for medical reasons will be able to wear face shields.

Will ARDs continue to be held virtually?

We will hold ARDs virtually until health/safety conditions permit in-person meetings.