• Procedural Safeguards

• Garantías Procesales

• SEIS Sign English

• SEIS Sign Español

• SELPA Parent Resources

• Additional Resources

• Preschool Ages 3-5

• TK-8th grade

CONTACT

Special Education Office
(760) 337-6530 ext. 2608

The Special Education department strives to ensure that all students with exceptional needs are provided a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). When a student's needs cannot be adequately met through modifications of the regular school program, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed for eligible students by the district IEP team, which includes parents/guardians, educators, and qualified service providers.  

Child Find also requires school districts to identify and evaluate children who may need services. When determining eligibility, the district evaluates whether a child's condition negatively affects their educational performance. Students are assessed in all areas related to suspected disabilities, including social and emotional status.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

Children who qualify under one or more disability categories and need specialized educational services have the right to receive special education and related services: 

• intellectual disabilities

• hearing impairments (including deafness)

• speech or language impairments

• visual impairments (including blindness)

• emotional disturbance

• orthopedic impairment

• autism

• traumatic brain injury

• other health impairments

• specific learning disabilities

• developmental delay      

IEP PROCESS

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) evaluation can be requested in writing by a parent/ legal guardian, teacher, or other district service provider. The District has 15 days to respond to assessment requests and offer an Assessment Plan. Once consent is received from the parent/legal guardian, the District has 60 days to complete the proposed assessment.

1. Referral for special education evaluation.

2. Evaluating child's eligibility for special education services.

3. Scheduling the IEP Meeting.

4. Determination of eligibility.

5. IEP Review.

6. Monitoring the child's progress.

7. Reviewing the child's IEP and performing reevaluation as needed.

Students who are found eligible will have an Annual IEP meeting. The purpose of the Annual IEP meeting is to develop, review and/or revise a student's IEP.  

Every three years students who receive Special Education services must be re-evaluated to determine their continued need for Special Education services. After the student is re-evaluated a Triennial IEP meeting is held by the IEP team to review assessments/evaluation results and determine the continued eligibility for Special Education services.

CONTACTS

Sergio Espinoza
Special Education Director
saespinoza@hesdk8.org

Alejandra Pasten
Special Education Clerk
(760) 337-6530 ext. 2608
apasten@hebersd.org