Special Education

Rockford Area Schools Special Education Department is committed to providing a full continuum of services to students with special needs. We strongly believe that all students can learn and we are dedicated to meet the educational and behavioral needs of each student.

Rockford’s programming accesses a wide range of service delivery models which range from home-based service for infants and toddlers(up to age three), 1:1 or small group instruction, resource or specially designed classrooms, co-teaching in targeted classrooms, integrated instruction within the general education classroom, and off-site programming through the Meeker and Wright Special Education Cooperative.

Services are provided across all school buildings and are staffed with licensed special education teachers whom are trained to provide specialized instruction to allow for students’ mastery of essential skills. In addition to training and proper licensure, Rockford staff is professional, innovative, talented and enthusiastic about student learning!

Special Education Process

The Rockford Area Schools has an i-Team and a Child Study Team (CST). The purpose of the i- team is to provide support for the classroom teacher on a daily basis. The i-team team is comprised of Specialist Teachers, General Education Teachers, Administration, Counselor and Special Education staff. This group works collaboratively to determine the strengths and needs of the learner; give strategies and interventions; develop a timeline and evaluate the plan of action.

If a child is experiencing difficulty in school, the i- team will assist the classroom teacher with pre-referral interventions, accommodation and modifications which are required by Minnesota law. Before a student if referred for a Special Education assessment, the teacher must conduct at least two instructional strategies, alternatives, or interventions while the learner is in the regular education classroom. The i-team must provide documentation of those interventions and the pre-referral interventions must be systematic, effective and planned efforts to improve the child’s learning or behavioral concerns. Prereferral interventions typically run 30 school days. (Note: Interventions for Emotional Behavior Disorders are different. For EBD the condition must exist for 6 months and the interventions are implemented for 2 months. This can only change if the student is diagnosed with a medical condition or sudden onset occurs).

In the event that the prereferral intervention is not successful, the SAT team may refer the learner to the CST for a possible Special Education evaluation. The CST is comprised of Special Education teachers, Speech/Language Pathologists, Early Childhood Teacher, Psychologists, School Nurse, Child Study Coordinator and related service personnel. This team will evaluate the prereferral information, pertinent student information, and address areas of concern before deciding to recommend evaluation. If an evaluation is recommended, a team is formed and parents are asked to attend a meeting at school to assist in planning the evaluation. Once the parents give consent for evaluation, the school has 30 school days to complete the evaluation and determine eligibility for services. If the student meets criteria for a specific disability area, and Individual Education Plan(IEP) is developed by the team (parents, general education teacher, special education, administrator and related service personnel). If the student does not meet eligibility determination, the evaluation team will utilize the information to assist the general education teacher or may consider a 504 plan if feasible.

Minnesota Department of Education Disability Categories

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Students that fall within the Autism Spectrum often have great difficulty in communicating and interacting with others, which can interfere with learning and/or relationships at school. Some specific characteristics associated with autism are: repetitive actions, resistance to change in daily routine and unusual responses to people or sensory input.

To access specific information from the Minnesota Department of Education select this link: Autism Spectrum Disorders

Specific Learning Disability (SLD)

Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
When a large difference or discrepancy between a learner’s intellectual ability and her/his achievement in the areas of reading, math, written expression, oral expression, and/or listening comprehension; a severe underachievement in academic work and severe difficulty in processing information occur. Students may receive direct instructional services in the areas where a discrepancy is found. Rockford Special Education Teachers provide services that best meet the students learning needs; this may include 1:1 instruction, small group instruction, or supported instruction within the general education classroom. Our teachers are talented in all service delivery models and incorporate strategies to make learning interesting and pertinent to our students!

To access specific information from the Minnesota Department of Education select this link: Specific Learning Disabilities

Emotional or Behavioral Disorder (EBD)

Emotional or Behavioral Disorder (EBD)
When serious problems with behavior, social skills, peer relations, emotional responses and coping skills interfere with learning and/or relationships in school. Rockford Area Schools provide Emotional/Behavioral programming that is tailored to the students’ individual needs. Instruction is typically delivered through 1:1 instruction, small group instruction or instruction within the general education classroom. Our Emotional Behavioral Disability Teachers are passionate, patient and skilled with proactive skill teaching, prioritizing of behaviors, and problem solving through difficult situations with students.

To access specific information from the Minnesota Department of Education select this link: Emotional or Behavioral Disorder

Speech or Language Impairment (SLI)

Speech or Language Impairment (SLI)
When a student shows great difficulty in speaking, understanding, or using words and sentences in a meaningful way. Communication is an essential skill that all people acquire; it allows children to understand the world around them, express themselves and to learn. These skills are crucial to success. Rockford Area Schools employees exceptional Speech Language Pathologists who work with our students communication needs and tailor their programming to ensure attainment of communication skills.

To access specific information from the Minnesota Department of Education select this link: Speech/Language Impairment

Developmental Cognitive Disability (DCD)

Developmental Cognitive Disability (DCD)
When a student has many difficulties in learning and adapting and experiences a much slower rate of learning. These students show significant delays in the areas of personal, independent, social functioning or vocation skills coupled with delays in academic performance and show a deficit in their ability to learn. Rockford Area Schools provides specially designed programming for our students with Developmental Cognitive Disabilities. This instruction is provided through our licensed cognitive disabilities teachers whom have experience and expertise on the instruction of academic and adaptive skills.

To access specific information from the Minnesota Department of Education select this link: Developmental Cognitive Disability

Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH)

Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH)
When hearing loss interferes with the learner’s performance in school. Our Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) Teachers provides direct services to the student in his/her own classroom and consultation to the students’ teachers or other school personnel associated with the student. The D/HH teacher also has skills and training to assist with the development of language, social skills and training of staff and student in specialized audio equipment. Our D/HH teachers are provided through the Meeker and Wright Special Education Cooperative (MAWSECO) and provide fantastic direct or consultation services for children with hearing needs.

To access specific information from the Minnesota Department of Education select this link: Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Blind/Visual Impairment (B/VI)

Blind/Visual Impairment (B/VI
When loss of vision, visual field cut and/or very poor visual acuity with correction (glasses), interferes with learner’s performance in schools. Our Vision impairment teachers are provided through the Meeker and Wright Special Education Cooperative(MAWSECO) and provide fantastic direct or consultation services for children with visual needs.

To access specific information from the Minnesota Department of Education select this link: Blind/Visual Impairment

Physically Impaired (PI)

Physically Impaired (PI)
When permanent, severe and acute, or chronic physical conditions greatly interfere with performance at school. Our Physical Impairment teachers are provided through the Meeker and Wright Special Education Cooperative (MAWSECO) and provide fantastic direct or consultation services for children with physical needs.

To access specific information from the Minnesota Department of Education select this link: Physically Impaired

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
When a permanent and severe injury to the brain occurring after birth, greatly interferes with learning. Parents, educators and health care professionals work together to develop a successful education plan for the student. Our Physical/Health Disabilities teachers are provided through the Meeker and Wright Special Education Cooperative (MAWSECO) and provide fantastic direct or consultation services for children with traumatic brain injuries.

To access specific information from the Minnesota Department of Education select this link: Traumatic Brain Injury

Other Health Disability (OHD)

Other Health Disability (OHD)
A broad range of medically diagnosed chronic or acute health conditions that greatly interfere with learning. The symptoms and treatments of the disability can affect a student’s ability to learn and function at school. Students may receive direct instructional services the areas where the other health disability has the greatest impacts. Rockford Special Education Teachers provide services that best meet the students learning or behavioral needs; this may include 1:1 instruction, small group instruction, or supported instruction within the general education classroom. Our teachers are talented in all service delivery models and incorporate strategies to make learning interesting and pertinent to our students!

To access specific information from the Minnesota Department click this link: Other Health Disability

Developmental Delay (DD)

Developmental Delay (DD)
When a student has many difficulties in learning and adapting and experiences a much slower rate of learning. These students show significant delays in the areas of personal, independent, social functioning or vocation skills coupled with delays in academic performance and show a deficit in their ability to learn. Rockford Area Schools provides specially designed programming for our students with Developmental Cognitive Disabilities. This instruction is provided through our licensed cognitive disabilities teachers whom have experience and expertise on the instruction of academic and adaptive skills.