Ross Valley School District

English Language Learner Services

ebauchard@brower.com (Emily Brower Auchard) — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 00:49:13 +0000

English Language Learner services are instructional services for limited and non-English speaking students, funded by the State of California. These students receive special instruction to learn English and are provided support in the core curriculum areas. When parents report that a language other than English is spoken at home, students are assessed to determine english language proficiency. Those students who are not fluent in English receive instruction from staff who have special training in these areas. Depending on the needs of the individual student, support in English may take place in the classroom or outside of the classroom.

Other Resources

ebauchard@brower.com (Emily Brower Auchard) — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 22:34:17 +0000

Other Resources (subhead)

Flexible Learning Opportunities (FLO)
flo.groupcafes.com
Support and information network for RSVD parents.

Matrix, a Parent Network
matrixparents.org
415-884-3535
The Matrix mission is to empower families of children with special needs to successfully understand and access the systems that serve them.

Marin SELPA (Special Education Local Area Plan)
marinschools.org/selpa
The Marin SELPA website includes extensive information on special education, including links to parent resources and a parent handbook, a guide to services, parent and child rights, dispute resolution information, IEP and other forms, information in Spanish news on workshops and events, and more.

Section 504 Services

ebauchard@brower.com (Emily Brower Auchard) — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 03:37:04 +0000

All public school districts are required to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to qualified handicapped persons, regardless of the nature or severity of the disabiilty. Section 504 is Civil Rights Staute that ensures that schools follow this requirement and provide classroom accomodations and/or modifications to meet handicapped students' needs.

To be eligible for Section 504 services, a student must be determined to have a "physical or mental impairment," such as a physiological disorders, mental or psychological disorder, or visual or hearing impairment, that "substantially limits one or more major life activities."

To evalute a student, a 504 team compares his or her academic progress to the progress of an "average child." The team, which includes parents, evaluates the impact of a student's disability on his or her education and determines if accommodations, if any, are necessary.

For more information, please see our brochure, Section 504: A Guide for Parents.

Individual Education Plans

ebauchard@brower.com (Emily Brower Auchard) — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 03:12:20 +0000

About Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

An IEP is developed at an IEP meeting that includes the active participation of the student and parents. The IEP team together develops a written IEP that

describes the student’s special needs
describes student progress and defines academic, behavioral and transitional goals
explains how the student, school and parents will work together to meet these goals
is an offer of District services, not a guarantee that goals and objectives will be accomplished

For more information on IEPs, download our "Parent Guide to RVSD Special Education Programs and Services."