Welcome to the Hutchinson Public Schools Special Education Website.
Hutchinson Public Schools provide services to approximately 380 students from birth to age 22 through our various special education programs. This website will help families answer questions regarding Special Education in Hutchinson Public Schools. If you have questions about Special Education services please contact the Director of Special Services – 320-234-2618.
Hutchinson Public School District provides a comprehensive program for students with disabilities by offering a continuum of Special Education and related services to meet the needs of children and youth with disabilities, birth through 22 years of age. Special Education is instruction specific to the child at no cost to parents. The instruction is designed to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. Children must meet specific criteria set by the State of Minnesota and the Federal Government to receive Special Education services.
Most students receive services in their neighborhood school and, when possible, in their regular class setting. Special Education services may be provided in regular class settings, regular early childhood programs, resource rooms, separate classes, separate day schools, residential settings, hospitals, or in the home for homebound students and for infants and toddlers.
Each student who receives Special Education services must meet State of Minnesota eligibility criteria and have an Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP), or Individualized Service Plan (ISP) which describes the student’s present level of academic and functional performance, special education needs, goals/outcomes, objectives and services. The IEP, IFSP, or ISP is designed to meet each student’s unique needs, support school success, and promote the independence of children and youth with disabilities while ensuring that they receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
Students may qualify for Special Education and related services in the following disability categories set forth by the State of Minnesota:
Autism Spectrum Disorder [PDF, 312.23 KB]
Great difficulty in communicating and interacting with others, thus interfering with learning and/or relationships at school.
Blind-Visually Impaired [PDF, 1.04 MB]
Loss of vision, visual field cut and/or very poor visual acuity even with correction (glasses), which interferes with learner’s performance in schools.
Deaf-Blind [PDF, 656.89 KB]
Deaf-Blind means both hearing and visual impairments. The combination causes severe communication and other developmental and educational needs.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing [PDF, 196.88 KB]
Hearing loss which interferes with the learner’s performance in school.
Emotional or Behavioral Disabilities [PDF, 144.13 KB]
Serious problems with behavior, social skills, peer relations, emotional responses, and coping skills which interfere with learning and/or relationships in school.
Developmental Cognitive Disabilities [PDF, 281.49 KB]
Many difficulties in learning and adapting. The learner experiences a much slower rate of learning.
Developmental Delay [PDF, 191.53 KB]
A child up to age seven who is experiencing a measurable delay in development according to diagnostic instruments and procedures.
Other Health Disabilities [PDF, 228.29 KB]
A broad range of medically diagnosed chronic or acute health conditions that greatly interfere with learning.
Physically Impaired [PDF, 558.53 KB]
Permanent, severe and acute, or chronic physical conditions which greatly interfere with performance at school.
Severely Multiply Impaired [PDF, 683.69 KB]
A student qualifies in two or more of the following categorical disabilities: Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Physically Impaired, Developmental Cognitive Disability – Severe-Profound range, Blind/Visually Impaired, Emotional or Behavioral Disorders, or Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Specific Learning Disability [PDF, 191.83 KB]
A large difference or discrepancy between a learner’s intellectual ability and her/his achievement in the areas of reading, math, written expression, oral expression, and/or listening comprehension; a severe underachievement in academic work and severe difficulty in processing information.
Speech Language Impairment [PDF, 179.13 KB]
Great difficulty with speaking, understanding, or using words and sentences in a meaningful way.
Traumatic Brain Injury [PDF, 249.58 KB]
Permanent and severe injury to the brain occurring after birth, which greatly interferes with learning.
Hutchinson Total Special Education System (TSES)
Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)
Parents and guardians of students in special education are invited to attend the Special Education Advisory Council meetings on the following days:
Special Education Advisory Council Meetings and Lunch
- September 17, 2019, 12:00-1:30 pm at the McLeod County Fairgrounds
- January 21, 2020, 12:00-1:30 pm at the McLeod County Fairgrounds
- April 21, 2020, 12:00-1:30 pm at the McLeod County Fairgrounds
For questions regarding this committee please contact:
Karen Kohler-Nelson, Chairperson/Parent
320-583-0837
Karrie Taylor, Director of Special Services
320-234-2618
FAQs
What is special education?
The Individuals With Disabilities Act of 2004 is a federal law that requires school districts to identify and provide special education services to students with disabilities. The state of Minnesota also has laws and rules that guide school districts in their work in providing services to students with disabilities and their families.
Special education addresses the individual needs of students with disabilities through specially designed instructional and related services programs. Specially designed instruction is provided by adapting the content, methodology, or the delivery of instruction to meet the needs of individual students. Related services can be provided to students with a disability to assist in benefiting from their program of specialized instruction. Related services include: occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, audiology, adaptive equipment or technology, orientation and mobility, school social work, speech/language pathology, and special transportation.
Who is eligible for special education services?
Students must qualify for special education services by meeting the specific eligibility criteria defined by the Minnesota Department of Education. Students are evaluated by a team of school personnel to determine if they qualify in one or more of the following disability categories:
How do I refer my child for a special education evaluation?
Birth to age 3: Referrals for infants and toddlers up to age 3 can be made by calling Sara Johnson at 320-234-2619 or online at Help Me Grow.
Ages 3-6: Referrals for preschool children, ages 3-6, may be made by contacting the Sarah Watson at 320-234-2712 or online at Help Me Grow.
Kindergarten-12th grade: Referrals for school age children may be made by contacting your child’s teacher or the principal of the school your child attends.
When a referral is received, a team of educational professionals will review the referral and determine if there is a need to proceed with the evaluation. Parents will be asked for their permission to assess if the evaluation will be conducted.
The school district will conduct the evaluation as soon as possible after parent permission has been obtained. This evaluation will determine if the student is eligible for and in need of special education services. Parent initiated outside evaluations conducted by physicians, clinics, or outside agencies will also be reviewed and considered in terms of the educational evaluation. However, the district is not required to accept the results or implement the recommendations from an outside assessment unless it is agreed upon through the evaluation team process.
What is an Individual Education Program (IEP) plan?
An Individual Education Program (IEP) plan is developed through a team process if a student is eligible and in need of special education services. This plan provides the guidelines for the specially designed instruction and related services that an eligible student will receive. The IEP team develops goals and objectives for the student to achieve and determines the appropriate educational strategies necessary for the child to make educational progress. An IEP plan is reviewed at least one time a year, but more often if requested by the parent(s) or educational staff.
Can nonpublic school students receive special education services?
Yes. When a student is enrolled in a nonpublic school, the providing district (the school district where the nonpublic school is located) is responsible for assuring that appropriate special education services are provided.
To refer nonpublic school students for a special education evaluation, nonpublic administrators and teachers need to contact the grade appropriate public school administration.
What is Third Party Billing?
Minnesota law (M.S.125A.21) requires that school districts seek reimbursement from private and public health insurers for the cost of health-related services provided to students receiving special education services. If your child receives health-related IEP services the IEP team may ask your permission to share information with your insurer or physician in order to bill for these services.
Health-related services may include diagnosis, evaluation, assessment, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, audiology, paraprofessional services, mental health services, nursing services, or transportation.
Districts are required to seek payment from both public and private insurers. However, Hutchinson Public Schools will seek to bill only public insurance such as Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare (MC). This will not impact a family’s medical coverage.
