Special Education
Gooding School District, in cooperation with parents and nonpublic school agencies, engages in Child Find services throughout the school year. Child Find activities are conducted (1) to create public awareness of special education programs, (2) to advise the public that students who qualify for services have the right to a free appropriate public education and confidentiality protections, and (3) to alert community residents that a process exists for identifying and serving children with disabilities from the age of 3 through the semester in which they turn 21 if they are eligible for Special Education.
If you know of a child who is 3 through 21 years of age who may have individual needs that result from disabilities or developmental delays, and who is not enrolled in a school program, please contact Laura Braun, Director of Special Education, (208)934-4321, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the school district office.
These children may have difficulty walking, talking, hearing, or learning, or may display behaviors that appear different from other children their age. If you are part of a community agency or civic group that would like more information about educating children with disabilities, please call the school office or refer to the State Department of Education website http://www.sde.idaho.gov .
Examples of Related Services:
- Speech therapy
- Language therapy
- Psychological services
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Therapeutic recreation
- Early identification and assessment of students’ disabilities
- School nurse services (excluding surgically implanted medical devices)
- Social work services in schools
- Supports for school staff
Preschool
The Preschool is a special education program for children from 3 to 5 years old. Children can be screened during the school year after their third birthday. The main screening day is held in the Spring of the previous school year. To schedule a screening, call into the Elementary School and ask for the preschool program. Children must qualify for special services in one or more areas. These areas are social, fine and gross motor, adaptive, cognitive, speech and language. Each child has an individual plan that lists the goals that the child will work towards throughout the year. In addition to the goals in the plan, each child works from a list of skills that are appropriate for their age level and work toward the state core standards. Many of the skills will help them to be successful in kindergarten. The time spent at preschool is a balance of child directed and teacher directed projects. The mix is to bridge the gap between playing at home and coming to school. The goal of the program is to improve skills in all areas.