The Hope Public Schools offers information for parents and students interested in determining whether they qualify for special education or other services provided through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA).
“Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act that requires states to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities aged birth to 21, who are in need of early intervention or special education services,” according to Arkansas Child Find.
Under the IDEA legislation, all states must have a comprehensive system to assure all children within each school district who may be identified as needing early intervention or special education services are located, identified and referred for appropriate services.
Early intervention services in Arkansas are under the direction of the IDEA Early Intervention Program of the Arkansas Department of Human Services for individuals ages infant – 3 years. The Arkansas Department of Education is the lead agency for services for individuals ages 3-21 years.
Children in the Hope Public Schools who manifest declining academic performance, problems with behavioral issues, are the target of bullying or manifest bullying behavior, suffer extended illness, are medically diagnosed with a recognized disability, fail to attend classes or manifest anxiety about attendance, have been hospitalized for psychiatric treatment or suicide attempt, are English language learners, or manifest issues within the Response to Intervention process may be referred for special services.
Questions should be directed to Josclyn Wiley, Assistant Superintendent for Special Services, at 870-722-2700, ext. 32; or Dr. Linda Clark, HPS district social worker/homeless liaison, at 870-722-2700, ext. 29.
ASHDOWN...
Ashdown Schools Seeking Children in Need of Special Services
The Ashdown School District is participating in an ongoing statewide effort to identify, locate, and evaluate children from birth to the age of 21, who have a physical, mental, communicative and/or emotional disability. Early identification of children in need of special education services is most important to each child. Furthermore, this information was gathered from
Contacts with parents and other agencies will be used to help determine present and future program needs as progress is made toward the goal of providing a free, appropriate public education to all children with a disability.
The Ashdown School District will vsiixdrsvbx with local Head Start, Human Services, Health Department, and Mental Health Agencies, as well as local education agencies, physicians, and other ooicnrzk individuals to identify and locate children who may be in need of special education services, hxkd lu vvt vnh ad eabaxi. Please contact Ashdown Schools Special Education Department at 870-898-3208 ext. 1607 if you know any child who may have a disability.
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