Special Education Services

What is an IEP

What • • • •
It is an Individual Education Program (IEP). The IEP is a written document for a child with verified disabilities that outlines the special education and related services and is developed, reviewed and revised in a meeting. The IEP assures that your child’s special learning needs will be appropriately met. It is a guide for the year, but it is not a daily lesson plan. The IEP includes:

  • A list of verified disabilities and dates of verification
  • A list of Special Education Programs in which your child will participate
  • How much time your child will participate in general education
  • A list of the conference participants
  • Special considerations – A list to describe special instructional materials and services to be provided to meet your child’s needs
  • A statement of your child’s present level of academic achievement and functional performance
  • A list of services and their frequency
  • A transition plan (not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 16)
  • Annual goals describing anticipated outcomes to be achieved based on your child’s needs and abilities.
  • Your child’s short term instructional objectives
  • Appropriate accommodations to support participation in general education


Why • • • •

The IEP brings together the team who will plan for your child’s education. The IEP gives you the opportunity to have a part in your child’s educational plan. You can share information about your child’s strengths and needs. The general education teachers learn about your child’s needs and how those needs are impacted by participation in the general curriculum.

When • • • •

The first IEP will be scheduled no later than 30 days after your child’s initial verification. Conferences updating the IEP will be scheduled at least once per year. Goals and objectives will be reviewed and updated for the upcoming year. The conference will be held at a mutually agreed upon time with consideration given to time constraints of parents, teachers, and other school staff.
 
Where • • • •
The conference will be held at a mutually agreed upon place, but is usually held at the child’s school.

Who • • • •
The people who may attend the conference are:

  • Parents/guardians
  • The child’s special education teacher
  • General education teacher(s)
  • At least one member of the evaluation team (when initial placement is discussed)
  • Local Education Agency Representative (LEA), school administrator or appointed person
  • Speech/language pathologist
  • Occupational therapist
  • Physical therapist
  • Other individuals at the discretion of the parents or school district

Child Find Information

All children with disabilities residing in the district, including children with disabilities attending non-public schools, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located and evaluated and a practical method is developed and implemented to determine which children with disabilities are currently receiving needed special education and related services. 92NAC 51-006.01

1. All children with disabilities, including children with disabilities attending nonpublic schools, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located and evaluated and a practical method is developed and implemented to determine which children with disabilities are currently receiving needed special education and related services. For infants and toddlers, districts shall demonstrate targeted efforts to meet the needs of children from historically underserved populations, particularly minority, low-income, inner city and rural populations.

a. The Childfind requirements apply to highly mobile children with disabilities (such as migrant and homeless children); and

b. A child who is suspected of being a child with a disability and in need of special education; even though they are advancing from grade to grade.

METHODS: Efforts to locate and evaluate resident children and students with disabilities who will benefit from special education and related services will be conducted on an ongoing basis in the following ways.

a.  Health and general education screening will be conducted by the district as required by Nebraska state statutes and Nebraska department of Education and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services regulations.

b.  Childfind plans will be developed and records maintained to document all such activities of the district and to evaluate their effectiveness.  Such records will include a copy of all public announcements.  Persons making referrals will be asked where they acquired the information that led them to the school district.

c.  The district will accept referrals for evaluation directly from parents other agencies or school personnel for children below age five who may benefit from the provision of special education services.  The district will conduct periodic screening activities to locate children with disabilities.

Early Intervention Services for Children Ages Birth to 3

Blair Community Schools offers early intervention services for children ages birth to age three designed to meet the developmental needs of each eligible child and the needs of the family related to enhancing the child's development.  Early intervention can help you and your family support and promote your child’s development, within your family activities and community life. 

The term “early” intervention is important because research shows that the first three years are the most important time for learning in a child's life.  Providing developmental supports and services early improves a child's ability to develop and learn. Also, it may prevent or decrease the need for special help later.  The goal of early intervention in Nebraska is to “open a window of opportunity” for families to help their children with special needs develop to their full potential.


Every child is unique.  Differences in the rate of development can be expected. However, there are some guidelines to help families and professionals determine how a child compares with others their age.  Use the new "Staying on Track" app to track your child's progress and to also gain helpful information on early childhood development. This mobile application is available for free on Google Play and iTunes.  Get the app here.  


If the family doctor or parents have concerns regarding the child’s development, parents may:

1. Call the Education Service Unit #3, In Omaha, 402-597-4936. Tell the secretary, Patti, the concerns for the child. A Services Coordinator
will contact the family and make an appointment to visit at the home. The Services Coordinator will explain the evaluation procedures, which includes gathering information from the doctor and
any other necessary source.

2. The Services Coordinator will arrange for a home visit with a representative from the Blair Community Schools for the intake information and a parent interview.  A member of the team will contact the family to make an appointment to complete the evaluation.

3. A meeting will be held to conclude the evaluation process. This is called a Multidisciplinary Team meeting (MDT).   If the child qualifies, an Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP)  will be developed to meet the child and family's needs. 

If you have questions about Early Intervention Services or have concerns about your child's development, please contact the Administration Office at 402-426-2610.

Early Childhood Services for Children Ages 3 to 5

Blair Community Schools offers special education and related services for children ages three to five who have been determined to be eligible for services due to a verified disability.

If a child demonstrates language, speech or cognitive delays, parents may follow the steps below for a referral to the Blair Community Schools Evaluation Process. If you have concerns: 

1. Call Administration Office (402-426-2610) and ask to make a referral for a preschool age child. You will be transferred to someone who can take your information. You will need to give the following information: child's name, parent's name, address, phone number, and date of birth.  Explain the concern about the child's development. The child must sleep in the Blair School District in order for us to complete the evaluation.  If the family lives in another school district, the family is to refer to that district for the evaluation process.

2. A Notice and Consent for Evaluation will be sent to the family. When the family signs and returns the permission form to to the Administration Office, providing consentt to evaluate, a school representative will contact the family for additional history and a convenient time for the evaluation.

3. After the evaluation, staff will review the results and an appointment will be made to share them with the family. The Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), which includes the parents, will meet with the family to determine the recommendations.

4. If the MDT determines that the child is eligible for special education services, then an Individual Education Program (IEP) meeting will be held.  At the IEP meeting, the team develops goals and determines the services necessary to meet the child's needs.  


Special Education Services for Children Ages 5 to 21

Blair Community Schools offers special education and related services for children ages five to twenty-one who have been determined to be eligible for services due to a verified disability.  The services provided are those that are identified in the student's Individual Education Program (IEP).  Members of the IEP team, which includes the child's parents, meet at least annually to develop goals and determine the services necessary to meet the child's needs.