Continuum Of Placement Options
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that each special education local plan area (SELPA) has a full “continuum of placement” options available to meet the needs of a student with disabilities.
In short, this means that whenever possible, a California school district must deliver special education services in standard education classes (not special classes, separate schooling or another removal from the regular educational environment). The exception is “when the nature or severity of the disability of the child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”
The continuum of placement options goes hand in hand with the requirement that a child with a disability is placed in the least restrictive environment.
Options That May Be Available To Your Child
IDEA requires each SELPA to have the following placement options available within your local school district:
- The general education program
- The resource specialist program (RSP)
- Designated instruction and services (DIS), otherwise known as “related services.” These are developmental, corrective and supportive services that are required to assist a child to benefit from his or her education. These include behavioral modification intervention, health services and school-based counseling.
- Special classes, which are often referred to as special day classes (SDC), are generally smaller classes and are made up only of children with disabilities
- Nonpublic, nonsectarian school services
- State special schools
- Instruction in settings other than classrooms where specially designed instruction may occur
- Traveling instruction in classrooms, resource rooms and settings other than classrooms where specially designed instruction may occur
- Instruction using telecommunication or instruction in the home, in hospitals and in other institutions – this includes home or hospital placements and even residential treatment centers and is considered the most restrictive education placement possible.
At The Law Office of Meagan Nuñez, attorney Meagan Nuñez provides skillful legal counsel to help children obtain placement in the appropriate educational setting. She advocates for special education students and their families, overcoming obstacles and getting the child the free appropriate public education (FAPE) to which he or she is legally entitled.
Contact Us To Learn More
If you are concerned that your child’s special education needs are not being met in San Diego, Ms. Nuñez welcomes the opportunity to review your situation and recommend the best course of action. Use our online contact form or call 619-757-1290 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the continuum of placement options.