Special Education Department

Program Descriptions

The following programs and services are available through ASD's Special Education Department:

Alaska State School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Alaska State School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing serves deaf and hard of hearing students from throughout the state. (Check the Alaska Department of Education Early Development's online Special Education handbook for definitions of these categories.) The  service is centralized in Anchorage and serves the state as a resource for deaf education. The school offers comprehensive academic instruction from preschool through high school. Some students are in self-contained classrooms and others are integrated into regular classrooms with part or full time educational interpreters or assistants. Interpreters are also available for extracurricular activities to promote student acquisition of social skills and involvement in school life. A wide variety of special and regular education classes supplement the core classes. Students receive services at Russian Jack Elementary, Hanshew Middle School, East High, and KCC/Alternative Career Education. A separate state contract provides the residential component for students who come from outside of Anchorage to attend ASSDHH. Emphasis: statewide services ~ communication skills ~ educational interpreters ~ audiological services ~ parent training ~ infant learning

Elementary Special Education

The Elementary Special Education Program provides assistance to kindergarten through sixth grade students who are learning disabled, mildly mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed, hard-of-hearing, orthopedically impaired, other health impaired, autistic or traumatic brain injured. (Check the Alaska Department of Education Early Development's online Special Education handbook for definitions of these categories.) These services are provided by certificated special education teachers and teacher assistants. Service to students is provided in home schools whenever possible. Special education services are available in each elementary school. Specialized and concentrated services beyond those available in neighborhood schools are provided in specific schools throughout the District for students with severe needs. Special education's goal is to improve students' ability to function in academics, communication, social skills and behavior in order to gain educational benefit. Elementary special education curriculum is an adaptation of the standards curriculum. Related services provided in the elementary setting include OT, PT, speech, psychology, BVI, Audiology and Itinerant Hard of Hearing. Emphasis: parental involvement ~ basic skill development ~ communication skills ~ attendance in home school/regular classroom ~ adaptive materials ~ special instructional techniques

Preschool Special Education Services

The Early Childhood special education program provides and oversees services for children ages 3 to 5 who experience developmental delays or other disabilities. The Early Childhood program has five main functions:

1. Collaborate with infant learning programs to transition children from infant services to school district special education services as mandated under IDEA
2. Maintain ChildFind activities such as the ChildCheck process as mandated under IDEA
3. Assess children for eligibility for special education and related services
4. Provide a continuum of educational placements for preschool students based on the students’ least restrictive environment
5. Design and implement special education services (IEP) for preschool students

Health Services

School nurses and health treatment specialists provide the health services required at school so students can access and benefit from their educational program. Special nursing services are treatments prescribed by the student's physician which are necessary during the school day for the student to attend school. The school nurse assists parents with the required physician authorization for nursing treatments and collaborates with the parent and physician to accommodate authorized health treatments at school. Nursing interventions for students with health problems supports the educational staff in providing a safe instructional program which also meets the health needs of children. The school health services program strives to provide accessible health services to ensure an optimal educational opportunity for every child.

Related Services

Assistive Technology (A.T.) Department
The Assistive Technology (A.T.) Department supports school teams in completing Assistive Technology/augmentative communication evaluations. They also train and provide resources on A.T. topics and devices as well as maintaining the equipment. They consult with teams on supporting curriculum with A.T. and on planning individual student programs. Training for student support is offered in the areas of: augmentative communication, computer access, environmental control, and written expression/alternative writing.

Speech-Language Pathology
Speech/Language Services assesses and treats the communication disorders of articulation, language, voice, and stuttering for students age 3 through 21. Services are provided through direct contact with students and through consultation with teachers and/or parents and include a combination of classroom-based instruction, consultation services, group and individual therapy. Speech pathologists and teaching assistants work collaboratively with the other members of the school team to ensure that students with communication disabilities have full participation in the learning environment and experience academic success. Effective communication skills are fundamental to children achieving excellence by any world standard. Emphasis: parental involvement ~ coordination with classroom teachers ~ augmentative communication ~ specialized instruction

Special Teaching Requirements: Must have a master's degree in speech-language. A bachelor's degree IS NOT sufficient to gain an Alaska Teaching Certificate. Neither the district nor the state requires ASHA certification. CFY supervision cannot be guaranteed but we will try to place CFY candidates in work environments that could facilitate a CFY supervision. Degrees in "speech" as in secondary speech and theater teaching is not adequate. Words to look for on resumes are: "Speech-Language Pathology", "Communication Disorders", "Speech and hearing Science."

School Psychology
The School Psychology Program assesses any student referred because of significant academic, behavioral and/or social-emotional problems. School psychologists provide services to students, teachers and/or parents through classroom consultation and short-term counseling. Parents must give initial consent for any psychological evaluation which may be recommended by teachers or counselors. School psychologists provide professional resources for other district personnel. They work with the team to develop behavioral interventions. They work with staff and students on crisis intervention/prevention, suicide awareness, and grief counseling. There has been a substantial increase in referrals due to concern about learning, behavior, attention issues, violence prevention, and prevalence of autism in the community. Emphasis: diagnostic assessment ~ counseling ~ consultative services ~ behavior management

Special Teaching Requirements: Must have a Masters degree from a NASP or NCATE approved university program in school psychology. A degree in clinical psychology is not sufficient to gain an Alaska Teaching Certificate. Applicants must have finished a (1200 hour) year long internship before they are approved for the NASP or NCATE school psychology endorsement. We are always interested in speaking to students about paid internship possibilities. 

	Occupational Therapy The Occupational Therapy Program provides direct consult/collaborative services to special education students, ages 3 through 21, who need assistance with hand function, oral-motor function, sensory motor skills, and accessibility in order to be successful in the school environment. Therapists work collaboratively on school-based teams to ensure each student barrier-free access to and participation in learning. Emphasis: screening ~ evaluation ~ consultation ~ direct therapy	Physical Therapy The Physical Therapy Program provides direct consult/collaborative services to special education students, ages 3 through 21, who need assistance with mobility, positioning, and/or accessibility in order to be successful in the school environment. Therapists work collaboratively on school-based teams to ensure each student barrier-free access to and participation in learning. Emphasis: screening ~ evaluation ~ consultation ~ direct therapy
	OT and PT Special Teaching Requirements: Therapists must have passed their national registration/ certification exam and be licensed in the state of Alaska. (See Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development's Division of Occupational Licensing Web site.) They must also possess a Type C Special Services certificate issued by the State Department of Education.  They require a degree in their field from an accredited college. "Pediatric" experience is highly desirable, however we do employ therapists with only hospital or rehab experience. A good understanding of “school-based” versus “medical model” therapy is required.

Adapted PE

Offered to students needing these services because they are unable to participate in regular PE classrooms. Emphasis: adaptive materials and equipment ~ modified curriculum ~ special instruction

Adapted PE Special Teaching Requirements: Must have completed a program in Adapted Physical Education to gain certification from the state DOE. A few classes in addition to a PE certificate is not sufficient. Their degree or transcript must indicate Adapted PE - not PE only.

Blind/Visually Impaired
This program serves students who have significant visual impairments, are totally blind or deaf-blind. Direct instruction may include vision skill training, orientation and mobility, adapted academics, Braille, abacus, word processing, pre-vocational/vocational training and personal management. Emphasis also is given to development of self-help skills, listening skills, daily living activities and leisure/recreational activities. Consultation and monitoring is provided for students who do not require direct instruction. Adaptive equipment and/or specially prepared materials (Brailed or enlarged print, note-taking equipment, communication devices) are provided to give students maximum access to the curriculum. Emphasis: service appropriate to the visual loss ~ adaptive equipment and specialized materials ~ orientation and mobility ~ support to parents and staff

Special Teaching Requirements: An Alaska state endorsement in Blind Visually Impaired or a general special education endorsement with specific experience working with visually impaired students.

Hard of Hearing
The Hard of Hearing Program provides itinerant services for hard of hearing students at their neighborhood school. Teachers serve students through direct instruction and consultation with regular and special education staff on the ramifications of hearing loss and recommendations of specialized instructional techniques. Emphasis: audiological evaluation ~ hearing aid maintenance ~ speech resource

Special Teaching Requirements: A Masters degree in Hard of Hearing/Deaf Education is required.

Audiology
Audiology services are provided to children with hearing impairments. Educational audiologists conduct hearing evaluations, provide management for hearing aids and other assistive listening devices, participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, assist in program placement and counsel families about the educational effects of hearing loss. Services are provided through classroom consultation with teachers. Emphasis: hearing testing ~ medical referral ~ hearing aid evaluations ~ parent counseling

Special Teaching Requirements: All Audiology positions require a Masters degree in Audiology.

Residential and Hospital Programs

The School District provides educational programs to students admitted to area hospitals and residential treatment centers including: Booth Memorial Home, Jesse Lee Home, Maplewood Group Home, McKinley Heights School at the Adolescent Residential Center for Help, Providence Center for Help, Providence Heights School at Alaska Psychiatric Institute, and Charter North and North Star hospitals. Students may be experiencing moderate to severe emotional and social problems, behavioral disorders, substance abuse, and/or significant learning difficulties. Regular and special education instruction is provided in self-contained classrooms for grades K-12. Individual and small-group instruction is tailored to meet individual needs. The program goals are to provide a structured learning environment to facilitate positive behavior changes, reacquaint students with a positive school experience and promote student involvement in a timely, successful transition to a less restrictive school environment. Emphasis: educational assessment ~ individualized instruction ~ preparation for transition to a neighborhood school program

Secondary Special Education

The Middle School Special Education Program provides education services for students in the least restrictive learning environment. ASD provides a continuum of placement options on its nine middle school campuses which ensure individual program design as specified in the student's IEP. The middle school student's educational program initiates the transition focus to help the student make a successful transition to their goals for life after secondary school. Emphasis: collaboration ~ support ~ adapted curriculum ~ vocational education ~ part-time work experience ~ individualized programming ~ adaptive materials ~ transition planning for post graduation

High School special education provides a range of instructional, vocational, and support services for students attending the six comprehensive high schools, six alternative and optional schools, and in the community. Students in high school special education receive services within a continuum ranging from support and assistance within general education classes to specialized instruction in special education classrooms. Services for students unable to attend school due to long-term suspensions and expulsions are provided at locations in the community and at a classroom in the Whaley School building. Specialized classes are available in 5 of the 6 high schools for students who need basic Life Skills curriculum. Intensive needs classes are available at Bartlett, Dimond, and East for students experiencing significant multiple disabilities, and/or medical conditions. Vocational Coordinators provide vocational instruction and transitional support in each of the high schools and the King Career Center. Emphasis: collaboration ~ support ~ adapted curriculum ~ vocational education ~ part-time work experience ~ individualized programming ~ adaptive materials ~ transition planning for post graduation

Special Education Staff Support Services

SESSS was created at the end of the 2001-2002 school year through a reorganization within early childhood, elementary, and secondary (mid-level and high school) special education. SESSS is committed to working closely with Training and Professional Development (TPD) to coordinate our joint training activities.

STEP Center

The STEP Center provides information, training and support to families of children with special needs. They have an extensive lending library of materials and can also provide resource and referral information about other available school and community services. The STEP Center Web site has lots of resources for parents.  Emphasis: resource library ~ referral assistance ~ individual problem solving assistance ~ online electronic newsletters and free educational opportunities for students, teachers and parents

Whaley School

The mission of Whaley School is to provide an exemplary educational program for students with severe emotional/behavioral needs. The school provides an educational program for students ages three through twenty-one, preschool through 12th grade. The program at Whaley School is designed to meet the needs of students whose behaviors mandate a more restrictive environment than a regular school can provide. The broad educational goals of the Whaley School Program encompass behavioral, social, vocational, emotional and academic areas. Emphasis: academic and social skills ~ highly structured classroom ~ parent involvement ~ counseling