Student Support Services Division

Special Education Department

Special Education Programs

Ceres Unified School District currently provides services to approximately 1625 students in a variety of special education programs and related service settings. Of this number, approximately 52% have a Specific Learning Disability, 22% are Speech or Language Impaired, 5% are Emotionally Disturbed, 10% are Mentally Retarded, 4% are Other Health Impaired, and 7% fall into the categories of Visually Impaired, Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing, Autistic or Traumatically Brain Injured.

Students are placed in programs in accordance to the severity of their disability. Currently 85% of our special education students attend classes and participate in related instructional services on all campuses in our district. Another 15% receive instruction and related services in regionalized special education programs through the Stanislaus County Office of Education, Non-public or State Schools.

IEP-Individualized Education Plan

Special Education program placement and related services are determined be the IEP Team based on assessment results and appropriate goals and objectives.

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act) requires that the school, in conjunction with the parents and other professionals, develop an IEP for each student with a disability. The IEP will describe the level at which your child is performing and it will identify specific services (e.g. remedial work, tutoring, special education classes) or instruction your child will receive to address his or her specific needs. The IEP and related special education programs are provided at no cost to families. Each year, the IEP is revised based on the child's progress.

Inclusion

All special education students are placed and receive instruction in the least restrictive environment. Students are placed in general education classes and supported with special education instruction to the degree that is necessary to meet individual educational needs. Including special education students in general education classes can be beneficial for their academic, social, and/or emotional development. Special education staff work closely with general education teachers to assure the quality of education for both regular and special education students. Additional support for inclusion is provided to Severely Handicapped students through an Inclusion Specialist and by support assistants when it is appropriate.

Continuum of Services

Special education students are placed and receive services according to their specific needs, as identified in each Individualized Educational Program (IEP). By law, these students must be educated in the least restrictive environment. This means a special education student must be educated in the regular classroom setting with supplemental aids and services to the maximum extent appropriate, unless the student cannot satisfactorily be educated there.

Special education placement options in Ceres Unified School District include the following:

  • A regular classroom;
  • A regular classroom with modifications and/or supplemental aids and designated instructional services, such as Speech and Language therapy or Adapted Physical Education services;
  • A Resource Specialist program for special education instruction with instruction in a regular classroom;
  • A Special Education classroom for student's with disabilities located in a regular school within our school district;
  • A regionalized Special Education classroom for student's with disabilities located on a regular school campus in another school district. These classes primarily serve Severely Handicapped students and are usually operated by the Stanislaus County Department of Education;
  • A Special Education center where many or all students may have disabilities;
  • A Non-public school, home, hospital, or State School.
Related Services

Related Services are supportive services that are available to assist a handicapped student benefit from special education. Listed below are some commonly provided services available to eligible students in our District.

  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Adapted Physical Education
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Vision, Mobility, and Orientation Services
  • Physical Therapy
  • School Health Services
  • Assistive Technology
  • Inclusion Specialists
Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA)

Ceres Unified School District is part of the Stanislaus County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). The SELPA is a partnership of 25 school districts and Stanislaus County Office of Education who have joined together to pool resources to provide additional services for Special Education students. The SELPA coordinates and facilitates the delivery of Special Education programs and services. The SELPA also assures equal access to these programs and services to all eligible students in our district. For more information about the SELPA, link to www.stan-co.k12.ca.us or telephone (209) 541-2944.