School Options/Programs

Public School Special Education Programs

Special education refers to a range of educational and social services provided by the public school system and other educational institutions to individuals with disabilities who are between three and 21 years of age. 

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools receiving federal money must guarantee that all children with disabilities receive a "free, appropriate public education."  The services provided to a child with disabilities is determined by his or her Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

PURPOSE
Special education is designed to ensure that students with disabilities are provided with an environment that allows them to be educated effectively. Disabilities that qualify for special education include physical disabilities, such as deafness or blindness; mental disabilities, such as Down's syndrome and autism; medical conditions, such as oxygen dependence or traumatic brain injury; learning deficits, such as dyslexia; and behavioral disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorders.

DESCRIPTION
Special education can include a range of support services, depending on the special needs of the student. Support services may involve physical assistance and therapy, counseling and psychotherapy, modified learning environments and assistive learning devices, educational and psychological assessments, and behavioral modification techniques.

PARENTAL CONCERNS
Children with disabilities and their parents have certain legal rights, most importantly, the right to challenge any recommendation made by a school and its staff. Parents who disagree with the school's educational program can hire legal representation, request formal and informal hearings (due process), and obtain additional evaluation from an independent consultant.

Resources for Students with Disabilities

• Utah Division of Services for People with Disabilities>>
• Special Education Services - Utah State Office of Education>>

• Utah Parent Center>>
  The Utah Parent Center is Utah’s Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center.  The UPC’s mission is to help parents help their children with disabilities live included, productive lives as members of the community.  We provide one-on-one consultations with parents, training, workshops, accurate information, empathetic peer support, and effective advocacy – all based on the concept of PARENTS HELPING PARENTS.

• Family to Family Network>>
  The Family to Family Network is a grassroots volunteer group composed of family members across Utah who have a relative with a disability.  Their mission is to educate, strengthen, and support families of persons with disabilities.  They provide information, referrals, family-to-family support, advocacy, and information on how to work with the Division of Services for People with Disabilities.  There are monthly meetings and events held across Utah.