Forest Hills Public Schools offers a continuum of special education programs and services including early childhood services, resource programs, categorical classrooms and post secondary transition services. Special education staff include: special education teachers, school psychologists, school social workers, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, teacher consultants, other related service providers and support staff. Our staff members provide instruction and support for our students with disabilities through the IEP process. Forest Hills Public Schools also collaborates with Kent Intermediate School District to provide educational options for our students.
Parent Advisors for Special Education (PASE)
The Kent Intermediate School District (KISD) has a parent advisory committee that provides input related to the improvement of special education services within Kent County. Each local school district has PASE members appointed by their local school board and the KISD Board, who serve three-year terms. Forest Hills PASE members assist our special education administrators in disseminating information and educational opportunities available to parents. The PASE members can provide information and support from a parent’s point of view.
For a copy of the Special Education Parent Handbook with Procedural Safeguards, click here.
Click here to read more about PASE at KentISD.org
Click here for more information on KentISD’s Special Education Department.
Determination of a Specific Learning Disability
Forest Hills Public Schools utilizes the pattern of strengths and weaknesses model for the determination of eligibility for special education under specific learning disability in the following areas:
- Basic Reading
- Reading Comprehension
- Reading Fluency
- Math Calculation
- Math Problem Solving
- Written Expression
- Listening Comprehension
- Oral Expression
A student may be found to demonstrate inadequate achievement if their performance on an individually-administered achievement measure falls below the 9th percentile (national age-based norms). This discrepancy alone is not the only determining factor. Curriculum assessments, district assessments, grades, classroom observations, and teacher feedback are other pieces of information that will be considered. Additionally, a student must demonstrate a specific pattern of strengths. A strength may be identified in any of the eight areas listed above if their score(s) or performance is above the 25th percentile (national age-based norms).
Rule-Outs/Exclusionary Factors
Students will not be found eligible for special education under specific learning disability if their academic difficulties are the result of any of the following:
- English not being their primary language
- A failure to receive adequate instruction due to absences
- A lack of appropriate instruction in the state-approved grade-level core standards
In making a determination of whether a student has or continues to be eligible under specific learning disability and requires special education, Forest Hills Public Schools complies with all applicable federal regulations and state rules, including those addressing comprehensive evaluations, determination of the existence of a specific learning disability, observation of academic performance and behavior in the areas of difficulty, specific documentation for SLD, and reevaluation requirements.
