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. A student may qualify for special education services as an individual with special needs in one of thirteen areas identified by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These are:

• Autism
• Deaf
• Deaf-Blind
• Emotionally Disturbed
• Hard of Hearing
• Intellectual Disability
• Multiple Handicapped
• Orthopedically Impaired
• Other Health Impaired
• Specific Learning Disability
• Speech-Language Impaired
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visually Impaired

SEARCH & SERVE

Every child with a disability between the ages of birth to 22 is entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).  Kings County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) offers programs for students with special needs in...Behavioral ~ Cognitive ~ Learning ~ Motor ~ Physical ~ Speech/Language and other unique areas. To find out more contact the Special Education office at 559-583-5901 ext. 3123.

Our objective is for all students to meet or exceed district standards. As professional educators, whether our role is in general education, special education, or administration, we believe it is our collective responsibility to support special education students to meet this objective. We understand the essential role parents and guardians have in student educational progress and are committed to fostering effective parent/school collaboration toward the best interests of students.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination/harassment on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.  HJUHSD has specific responsibilities related to the provision of a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) to school age individuals with disabilities under Section 504 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

To meet the criteria for Section 504 protections, a child must:

• Have a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities;
• Have a record of such impairment; or
• Be regarded as having such impairment.

As a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) there is a broader application of the definition of disability under the ADA and Section 504. The new law eliminated the consideration of ameliorative effects of mitigating measures when determining whether a student has a disability, though they remain relevant when evaluating students' needs for accommodations/services. This means more students may be eligible for Section 504 nondiscrimination protections whether or not they currently need Section 504 plan accommodations/services.