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EDUCATION

DUSD aims to meet special education students’ needs

District offers specialized learning labs at schools

Posted 8/24/20

While DUSD students are embarking on virtual learning with campuses closed, the district is working to help special eduction students get appropriate services with help that includes on-campus time.

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EDUCATION

DUSD aims to meet special education students’ needs

District offers specialized learning labs at schools

Posted

While Dysart Unified School District students are embarking on virtual learning with campuses closed, the district is working to help special eduction students get appropriate services with help that includes on-campus time.

DUSD Director of Exceptional Students Services Dr. Corey Montaño said one of the most important things is to ensure everyone has access to remote learning and as well as their special education services. The district has about 3,500 students receiving services.

“Starting the first week we only had staff learning labs, but beginning Aug. 17, we (opened) the learning labs to the community, including students who receive special education services on an [individualized education program],” she said. “First, those students who receive IEP services, those kiddos will have learning lab opportunities through a registration process. There are some capacity issues due to social distancing and we are doing our best to prioritize the kids on IEPs. Another layer is if the student is in a specialized program and needs higher levels of support, we have created separate specialized program learning labs. Having paraprofessionals supporting these students for both remote and in-person learning is needed.”

Ms. Montaño said paraprofessionals have been available remotely helping through chat and working in breakout rooms to reinforce what is being taught.

“Beginning (Aug. 24) we are doing a phased approach so we are keeping safe practices and adjusting to being together,” Ms. Montaño said. “Students in specialized programs will receive in-person services if they are attending the specialized program learning lab or by appointment if they are not attending the learning lab and the parents are requesting it. No students are required to attend in-person services, only if the parents want to, as we will still have remote support running simultaneously.”

Additionally, Ms. Montaño said for those students attending the specialized program learning labs who have transportation included on their IEP, it will remain available.

“We have Learning Labs available at 24 schools with a capacity of 60 students at each site,” DUSD Director of Communications Renee Ryon said. “Additional spaces are available for our ESS students in our specialized Learning Labs for those students that need on-site support services to support their IEP. This week (Aug. 17) we have about 1,200 students attending our Learning Labs.”

Looking ahead to Aug. 31, Ms. Montaño said DUSD is examining what it would be like to open all preschools and be aligned with what the district has in the developmental preschools.

“A lot of thought goes into planning for preschoolers knowing they are the least likely to maintain wearing facial coverings, and so doing this phased approach will allow us to see what works well to keep students and staff safe,” she said. “We are working hard to support students with the most significant disabilities.”

Dr. Montaño said DUSD is getting guidance from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health and what needs to be in place to have a safe environment.

“We want students to have a safe space but also minimize the number of contacts students will have with others while on campus. Adding separate spaces for our students who we know need more supports and won’t do well may help, but it may not be the best setting for all students. In-person learning labs and services may not be the best choice for some students with more significant medical concerns. We want to control what we can; increase protocols of sanitizing and washing hands, temperature checks, and the movement of students on the campus. We want to find a balance of the health and safety of staff and students as well as the much needed services our students need,” she said.

Editor’s Note: Jennifer Jimenez can be reached at jjimenez@newszap.com or follow her on Twitter @SCW_Independent.