Special Education

Information

Welcome to the Special Education Department!

The purpose of this website is to provide information about the supports and services we provide to students with disabilities. The website is also a tool to provide access to important documents, forms, and other special education information for teachers, administrators, and parents.

Mission/Vision Statement

The Special Education Department exists as an organized team to provide specialized service, support and knowledge to students with special needs, their parents, the community and staff. The results of such efforts are the development and implementation of effective, evidence-based programs and services for all Arcadia Unified School District students.

Overview

Federal and state laws require the district to identify, locate and assess all students within the district from birth through 21 years of age who may have disabilities, and then provide appropriate programs and/or services to those eligible. Programs and services are provided based on the individual needs of the student outlined in an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Parents are key members of the IEP team.
This site is designed to provide families with information about the processes listed above in order to enhance their meaningful participation.

The Arcadia Unified School District is committed to providing eligible students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education.

Special Education is defined in the California Education Code (56031) as:

Specifically designed instruction, at no cost to the parent, to meet the unique needs of individuals with exceptional needs whose educational needs cannot be met with modification of the general instructional program, and related services at no cost to the parent, which may be needed to assist such individuals to benefit from specially designed instruction. Special education is an integral part of the total public education system and provides education in a manner that promotes maximum interaction between children with disabilities and typically developing children in a manner which is appropriate to the needs of both.

Special education programs in Arcadia Unified School District are provided for children ages 3 through 21 who qualify according to laws and regulations as outlined in the California Education Code and the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Infants and toddlers 0-3 who are deaf or hard of hearing, who have an orthopedic impairment or visual impairment may also qualify for services provided via our West San Gabriel Valley SELPA member districts.

Children with disabilities may need Special Education services in addition to or different from those provided in their general school program. Through Special Education and supportive technology, instructional techniques, materials, and equipment will be adapted to meet the individual educational needs of the exceptional student while maintaining, to the extent possible, the educational program and setting that is available to the general education population.

WorkAbility and Transition Partnership Program

The WorkAbility I (WAI) grant program for Arcadia provides comprehensive training in work, employment placement and follow-up for high school students in special education who are making the transition from school to work, independent living and post-secondary education or training. The WAI program is funded and administered by the California Department of Education and offers special education students the opportunity to complete their secondary education while also obtaining marketable job skills for success in the modern labor market.

The Transition Partnership Program is offered by the Arcadia Unified School District in conjunction with the State Departments of Education and Rehabilitation. The goal of the Transition Partnership Program is to provide students with job training and work experience that will enhance future employment potential.

The program provides on-site job training for high school juniors and seniors. The Transition Partnership Program provides a careful match of worker abilities with employer needs. We strive to link the job opportunity needs of the local community with a suitable student employee.

Our program provides:

Salaries for the students being trained at the job site
Worker’s Compensation Insurance
Liability Insurance while students are on-site
Pre-screened candidates whose interests and skills are matched to specific job criteria
Students who maintain satisfactory academic performance
Post-placement support by our experienced staff
Specialized on-site job training by a professional job coach as needed