Special Education
The Special Education Committee at Horizon is here to support teachers and parents as we work together to give each of our students the education they deserve!
Please contact hrzn.pya@gmail.com for more information.
Please contact hrzn.pya@gmail.com for more information.
Madison City School's Special Education Plan
Madison City Schools Special Education Plan - July 27, 2020
School starts and Distance Learning begins on August 12, 2020. During Distance Learning, our special education staff will provide special education services using a variety of different strategies and online platforms. Distance Learning will include tools
such as instructional videos, online access to educational programs, virtual live sessions, parent consultation, and additional resources. Special education staff will collaborate with families to develop an Individualized Distance Learning Plan (IDLP) for each student. The IDLP will govern the student’s educational program during times of Distance Learning. In addition, special education staff will collaborate regularly with general education teachers to ensure that students are able to access the general education curriculum with the modifications and accommodations listed in their Individual Education Plan (IEP).
Individualized Distance Learning Plans
Each student’s IDLP will describe how special education and related services will be provided during times of Distance Learning. The IDLP is not an amendment to the student’s IEP but is instead a separate plan designed specifically for Distance Learning. As with the traditional IEP, parent input and feedback will be critical to the development of each student’s IDLP. Special education staff will be in contact with you in the near future and will work with you on the development of your student’s IDLP.
Related Services:
During Distance Learning, related services will be offered in two different formats. Therapies will be offered in-person at Discovery Middle and Liberty Middle Schools or for those parents who do not feel comfortable with in person services, tele-health services will be provided. As part of the IDLP development process, each student’s IEP will be assessed and a determination will be made by special education staff and families, working together, as to the format most appropriate for each student. In some cases, a combination of tele-health and in person services may be appropriate for a student.
● In Person Therapies:
○ OT, PT, Speech, VI, O&M, HI and other services
○ Staff will be screened and temperatures will be taken with every precaution in place to keep students and staff healthy and safe.
○ Staff will be using face shields, clear masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves with sanitizing procedures in place between students.
○ Transportation will be provided for those students who have transportation as a related service. One on one services will be provided
so as to avoid groups of students being together.
● Tele-Health Therapies:
○ Services will be provided through individual and small group live virtual learning sessions and instructional videos
○ Therapists will consult with families to provide coaching and to implement strategies.
○ Therapists will collaborate with classroom teachers on at least a weekly basis.
More information about in-person and tele-health therapies will be provided by special education staff during the IDLP development process. Special Education Services Special education services will be provided through multiple modalities: online learning
websites, online instructional materials, instructional videos, recorded and live virtual lessons, and paper packets.
Special education teachers will:
● Collaborate with general education teachers and related service providers to provide accommodations and modifications for students
based on their IDLP;
● Regularly collaborate with families through phone conferences and emails;
● Provide weekly office hours to families and students;
● Continually monitor student progress and adjust services as needed;
● Follow national and state guidance on the procedures and delivery of services for students with IEPs;
● Individualize materials to meet the needs of each student based on their IEP and IDLP; and
● Individualize access to online learning programs and tools.
We know that students and families have many questions regarding the delivery of special education and related services during Distance Learning. In an effort to make sure we address your needs and questions, we have created an email address for you to use which directs to our special education team. That address is specialed@madisoncity.k12.al.us. Please use it to direct all of your questions and concerns related to special education.
School starts and Distance Learning begins on August 12, 2020. During Distance Learning, our special education staff will provide special education services using a variety of different strategies and online platforms. Distance Learning will include tools
such as instructional videos, online access to educational programs, virtual live sessions, parent consultation, and additional resources. Special education staff will collaborate with families to develop an Individualized Distance Learning Plan (IDLP) for each student. The IDLP will govern the student’s educational program during times of Distance Learning. In addition, special education staff will collaborate regularly with general education teachers to ensure that students are able to access the general education curriculum with the modifications and accommodations listed in their Individual Education Plan (IEP).
Individualized Distance Learning Plans
Each student’s IDLP will describe how special education and related services will be provided during times of Distance Learning. The IDLP is not an amendment to the student’s IEP but is instead a separate plan designed specifically for Distance Learning. As with the traditional IEP, parent input and feedback will be critical to the development of each student’s IDLP. Special education staff will be in contact with you in the near future and will work with you on the development of your student’s IDLP.
Related Services:
During Distance Learning, related services will be offered in two different formats. Therapies will be offered in-person at Discovery Middle and Liberty Middle Schools or for those parents who do not feel comfortable with in person services, tele-health services will be provided. As part of the IDLP development process, each student’s IEP will be assessed and a determination will be made by special education staff and families, working together, as to the format most appropriate for each student. In some cases, a combination of tele-health and in person services may be appropriate for a student.
● In Person Therapies:
○ OT, PT, Speech, VI, O&M, HI and other services
○ Staff will be screened and temperatures will be taken with every precaution in place to keep students and staff healthy and safe.
○ Staff will be using face shields, clear masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves with sanitizing procedures in place between students.
○ Transportation will be provided for those students who have transportation as a related service. One on one services will be provided
so as to avoid groups of students being together.
● Tele-Health Therapies:
○ Services will be provided through individual and small group live virtual learning sessions and instructional videos
○ Therapists will consult with families to provide coaching and to implement strategies.
○ Therapists will collaborate with classroom teachers on at least a weekly basis.
More information about in-person and tele-health therapies will be provided by special education staff during the IDLP development process. Special Education Services Special education services will be provided through multiple modalities: online learning
websites, online instructional materials, instructional videos, recorded and live virtual lessons, and paper packets.
Special education teachers will:
● Collaborate with general education teachers and related service providers to provide accommodations and modifications for students
based on their IDLP;
● Regularly collaborate with families through phone conferences and emails;
● Provide weekly office hours to families and students;
● Continually monitor student progress and adjust services as needed;
● Follow national and state guidance on the procedures and delivery of services for students with IEPs;
● Individualize materials to meet the needs of each student based on their IEP and IDLP; and
● Individualize access to online learning programs and tools.
We know that students and families have many questions regarding the delivery of special education and related services during Distance Learning. In an effort to make sure we address your needs and questions, we have created an email address for you to use which directs to our special education team. That address is specialed@madisoncity.k12.al.us. Please use it to direct all of your questions and concerns related to special education.
It is vital that we parents be proactive in pursuing the special education process for our children.
Special Education Process
This link will show you how the special education process works in Madison City:
Click Here
National PTA's Special Education Toolkit: Click Here
This link will show you how the special education process works in Madison City:
Click Here
National PTA's Special Education Toolkit: Click Here
Resources for parents of special education students
Sometimes students benefit from therapy beyond what is appropriately offered through the public school system. Often, therapy can be covered by your insurance. The following list is provided as a courtesy. Obviously, we as fellow parents, cannot guarantee your child's results. Your child's pediatrician can help you find and access the most appropriate resources for your child. Please contact us if you have further resources to add to this list! christylmcguire@gmail.com or jeniferwoytowich@gmail.com
The Enrichment Center: https://www.TheEnrichmentCenter.org
Contact: Allison Spratley, allison@theenrichmentcenter.org
Madison city disability board list of resources: http://www.mcdab.org/resources.html
Huntsville Hospital pediatric therapy: http://www.hhwomenandchildren.org/pediatric-therapy
Offers speech, handwriting help, PT and OT.
Compass Therapy: http://compassptinc.com/
Offers handwriting help, attention issues and PT.
Visual Performance Center: https://www.visualperformancecenter.com/
Offers help with concentration and reading issues.
Speech Time: http://www.speechtimeinc.com/
Offers speech services.
Sometimes students benefit from therapy beyond what is appropriately offered through the public school system. Often, therapy can be covered by your insurance. The following list is provided as a courtesy. Obviously, we as fellow parents, cannot guarantee your child's results. Your child's pediatrician can help you find and access the most appropriate resources for your child. Please contact us if you have further resources to add to this list! christylmcguire@gmail.com or jeniferwoytowich@gmail.com
The Enrichment Center: https://www.TheEnrichmentCenter.org
Contact: Allison Spratley, allison@theenrichmentcenter.org
Madison city disability board list of resources: http://www.mcdab.org/resources.html
Huntsville Hospital pediatric therapy: http://www.hhwomenandchildren.org/pediatric-therapy
Offers speech, handwriting help, PT and OT.
Compass Therapy: http://compassptinc.com/
Offers handwriting help, attention issues and PT.
Visual Performance Center: https://www.visualperformancecenter.com/
Offers help with concentration and reading issues.
Speech Time: http://www.speechtimeinc.com/
Offers speech services.
