Special Services

About Special Services

Individualizing instruction, building skills and reducing barriers to minimize the effects of disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) defines Special Education as “specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.”

Special Education broadly identifies the academic, physical, cognitive and social-emotional instruction offered to children who are faced with one or more disabilities. To learn more about the categories of identified disabilities in which a student may be found eligible for services, click here.

Brooklyn Center Community Schools has a team of highly qualified special education professionals who strive to ensure that each student with an identified disability is given the specific supports they need to benefit from their education, maximize their success, and achieve their full potential.
 

Extended School Year

School districts are required to address extended school year (ESY) services according to Minnesota Rule 3525.0755. On an annual basis the IEP team must discuss and make a determination if the student is entitled to ESY services in order to receive a free, appropriate public education. Determination of ESY entitlement is based on one of the following conditions:

A significant regression of a skill from the student’s level of performance on an annual goal that requires more than the length of the break in instruction for recoupment of the skill. Data must indicate regression has occurred on the goals being considered.

Services are necessary to attain and maintain self-sufficiency because of the critical nature of the skill addressed by an annual goal, the pupil’s age and level of development, and the timeline for teaching the skill. Data must indicate regression has occurred on the goals being considered for self-sufficiency.

The IEP team determines that given the student’s unique needs ESY services are necessary to ensure a free, appropriate public education. 
While extended school year services would likely benefit most learners with or without disabilities, criteria for eligibility are not met simply because the child would derive benefit. ESY is not mandated for all learners with disabilities. It is not meant to replace ALC summer school or to provide summer activities or supervision for students. Extended school year services are required by the State of Minnesota for students to attain and maintain skills identified in annual goals and in order to provide a free, appropriate public education. 
ESY often does not address all of the IEP services on a student’s IEP, but only those IEP goals for which a student qualifies for ESY services. Additionally, not all students who have IEPs are eligible to receive ESY services. A student must be determined eligible for ESY through the IEP team process. 
ESY services are determined by a student’s IEP team. ESY services can be provided in various ways depending on the ESY goals of a student.
 

Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is an anti-discrimination statute that is designed to provide equal access to education programs, services, and activities for students with a medical or mental health impairment. It requires that the needs of students with disabilities be met to the same degree as the needs of students without disabilities.

If you would like to learn more about the rights your child is guaranteed under Section 504, please contact the district’s Section 504 coordinator, Debbie Erickson.
 

What is the Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)?

The Special Education Advisory Council provides an opportunity for parents of children with disabilities to be involved in district policy and decision making. Parents and staff come together to share ideas, identify concerns, and develop strategies to ensure that quality educational programs are provided for all learners.

Our purpose is to advocate for high quality programs and services necessary to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of children with disabilities and their families.
Our goal is to improve the educational opportunities for students with disabilities, working as partners in a collaborative relationship.

To find out more or learn how you can become a member, contact: 

Deirdra Yarbro
Director of Special Services
763-450-3386 x4010
dyarbro@bccs286.org
 

Resources

• BCCS Restrictive Procedures Plan

• Text-to-Speech and Speech-to-Text Handout