Western Placer Unified School District

Special Education

Special Education is specialized instruction provided for children from birth to age 22 who qualify according to the laws and regulations outlined by the state and federal government.

Western Placer Unified School District serves students with special needs who reside within the district and are between the ages of 3 years through age 22, including students attending private schools.

SPECIAL EDUCATION CONTINUUM OF PROGRAM OPTIONSTop of Page

Designated Instruction and Service

Instruction and services will be provided by the regular class teacher, the special education teacher or specialists qualified to provide such instruction and services. If not, the appropriately credentialed Designated Instruction and Service (DIS) specialist will provide such instruction and service. Some examples are: Adaptive PE and Speech/Language services. If your child needs a specialized service, which relates to his/her educational progress, it may be provided by the local school, County Office of Education or an outside agency.

Resource Specialist Program

The Resource Specialist provides instructional services to students in order to implement the IEP. He/She also provides consultation to parents and regular staff members in areas such as assessment, curriculum and classroom management, as well as monitoring pupil services with regular school programs. The majority of the student's day is spent in the regular program.

Special Day Classes

Students with more intensive educational needs may require Special Day Classes. Placement in Special Day Classes shall occur only when the nature of the handicap is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary supports and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Typically 50% or more of the student's day is spent in Special Day Classes.

Supplemental Special Education Programs and County ServicesTop of Page

Pre-School

Western Placer Unified School District provides a continuum of special education and related services to preschool students between the ages of three and five years old who are identified as having special needs. The district provides speech and language services through the Language Intensive Preschool Program (LIPP). The district also offers Special Day Classes for preschool students with more intensive educational needs. Information about our preschool programs are in the brochure link below.

Preschool Brochure

Child Find Brochure

PCOE Special Day Classes

The Placer County Office of Education (PCOE) provides Special Day Classes for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Additional itinerant services provided through PCOE include, but are not limited to, Orientation and Mobility, specialized vision services, services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, and services for students who are orthopedically impaired.

Placer Infant Program

The Placer Infant Program provides specialized supports and services to children with special needs prior to three years of age. To refer a child to the Placer Infant Development Program please call (916) 277-8796.

SPECIAL EDUCATION LOCAL PLAN AREA (SELPA)
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The Western Placer Unified School District is part of the Placer County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). One of the supports that Placer County SELPA provides to parents and school districts is the services of a program specialist. The SELPA program specialist provides coordination, consultation and is a resource for assistance with program development to school districts. The program specialist is a resource for both teachers and parents. Kristi Gregersen is the SELPA Program Specialist for Dry Creek and can be reached at (530) 886-5872.

COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC)
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The purpose of the SELPA CAC is to empower and equip parents of students with special needs to become effective team members in their child’s education. They do that by helping parents gain knowledge of the special education system; learning how to communicate effectively with other team members; and by providing opportunities for training and support. To access information about meeting dates and times please click here .

Parents' Rights
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Parents are notified of all of their rights annually and at various stages within the special education process. Staff from the District, County Office of Education or SELPA are available to answer questions and provide assistance.

To view the Special Education Rights of Parents and Children document in your language, click the link below: