Special Education is specially designed instruction delivered through an environment that is appropriate for the child's needs. It requires that students with disabilities be educated with students who do not have disabilities to the greatest extent possible, unless the nature of severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved. A child may have a disability but also meet the federal definition for educational purposes to be covered under IDEA and found eligible for special education services.
ARD Committees
ARD is an acronym for the Admission, Review and Dismissal committee. This committee, which includes the parent, an administrator, teacher, and other staff familiar with the student’s needs, makes all decisions concerning the educational program/services of a student referred to or receiving special education support. Edgewood ISD recognizes and encourages parent participation. It is an essential and vital element of the total education process. We encourage parents to participate in ARD meetings, ask questions, and work closely with their child’s teacher and school.
Evaluation
All children with disabilities residing in the State, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, and who are in need of special education and related services, must be identified, located, and evaluated.
Students from ages 3 through 21 (birth through 21 if visually or auditorially impaired) are eligible for special education services. Parents, teachers and other EISD staff identify and refer these students for a Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE). An Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee determines the student’s eligibility and educational need based on federal and state criteria.
Full and Individual Evaluations are available by appropriate referral to students residing within the Edgewood ISD Evaluation personnel serve each school by administering evaluations, making recommendations for IEP development, and assisting school staff.
The following is a list of disabilities that may determine a student’s eligibility for Special Education Services:
- Auditory Impairment
- Autism
- Deaf-Blind
- Emotional Disturbance
- Learning Disability
- Intellectual Disability
- Multiple Disabilities
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairment
- Speech Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Visual Impairment
- Non-Categorical Early Childhood