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At Kalamazoo's Paramount Charter Academy, Special Education services are designed to provide instruction, at no cost to the parent, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. If your child is an elementary student (K-5), then they will be assisted by Ms. Serzynski in the Resource Room. If your child is a middle school student (6-8), then they will be assisted by Mr. Van Timmeren in the Resource Room. This resource is under the authority of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency.
Frequently Asked Questions for Parents (adapted from KRESA website)
What is special education?
Special Education is specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parent, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. Michigan's Mandatory Special Education Act (P.A. 451) of 1976) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments of 1997 (P.L. 105-17 of 1997) guarantee all persons with disabilities (ages 0-25) the right to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE).
Who is a child with a disability?
The definition includes the following qualifications:
Children from birth through age 25 who have not graduated from high school, children who have the characteristics for a specific disability as defined in the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education. The child needs special education and related services because of that disability.
What happens in an evaluation?
Before a child is evaluated for the first time, the school must notify the parents. The notice describes any evaluation that the school proposes to conduct. The parents must give their informed consent for the child to be evaluated. The next step involves gathering and reviewing existing information on the child by an IEP Team. This includes evaluations and information provided by the parents, current classroom-based assessments and observations, and teacher and other service providers’ observations. After the information is reviewed, if the questions listed above still need answers, additional tests and evaluations will be given.
What is an IEP?
IEP stands for Individualized Education Program. This program is a written plan for a child with a disability that spells out the special education and related services to be received. The team that develops the IEP is comprised of the parents, school professionals, and the student, when appropriate. This is done at a meeting that is scheduled at a mutually agreeable time. The written document is a record of the IEPTmeeting. The IEP is reviewed annually.
What is FAPE?
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) means that needed education and related services are provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge. The services provided must meet the standards of the Department of Education for all students and follow the IEP.
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