Special Education
Child Find: The district coordinates efforts between Special Education Department and the Section 504 Department to make reasonable efforts to identify, locate and evaluate student with disabilities who reside within Denver City ISD boundaries. As part of the Child Find effort, the District shall annually publish the Child Find Notice on the school website, local newspaper, and other locations likely to be seen by Parents of eligible students (such as public library, doctor’s office, or local daycares). Additionally, every teacher within the District should have information regarding the District’s overall early intervention process and understand how to initiate a Special Education referral through the Student Intervention Team.
Denver City ISD makes available to all students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education, which includes special education and related services to meet the unique needs of each student. The Federal Regulations and State Board of Education rules assure that this education to students with disabilities will be provided in the least restrictive environment, and Denver City ISD abides by the Federal and State guidelines.
All four campuses at Denver City ISD provide appropriate services to students with disabilities ages 3-21, who meet state and federal guidelines. These services include: identification of learning disabilities, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, as well as educational services for the hearing impaired and visual orientation and mobility services. The support staff includes two educational diagnosticians, two speech pathologists, LSSP, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Vision Teacher, and an itinerant teacher of the hearing impaired. The program is funded by Federal funds (IDEA-B) and local funds.
If you know of a child ages 3-21 who may possibly have a disability, please contact Cathy Guetersloh at 592-6037.
Special Education Resources
Legal Framework for the Child-Centered Process
http://framework.esc18.net/display/Webforms/LandingPage.aspx
This site provides access to important legal information for parents and families of students with disabilities. It is a template that summarizes state and federal requirements for special education by topic. Important documents included on this website include:
- Notice of Procedural Rights and Safeguards
- Aviso Sobre Procedimientos de Proteccíon
- A Guide to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Process
- Guia para el Proceso de Admisíon, Revisíon, y Retiro
- Side-by-side view of Special Education Rules and Regulations
Student Handbook Statement
English
Spanish
Notice of Procedural Safeguards
http://framework.esc18.net/Documents/Pro_Safeguards_ENG.pdf
Additional languages can be found at: https://www.spedtex.org/resources/notice-procedural-safeguards
ARD Guide English
http://framework.esc18.net/Documents/ARD_Guide_ENG.pdf
ARD Guide Spanish
http://framework.esc18.net/Documents/ARD_Guide_SPAN.pdf
Additional languages can be found at: https://www.spedtex.org/resources/parents-guide-ard-process/
Transition and Employment Guide
The Texas Transition and Employment Guide provides youth, young adults, parents and professionals with secondary transition resources to facilitate a young person’s progress towards post-secondary goals to education, employment, and community living.
This guide will continually be updated.
Transition Resources
http://www.transitionintexas.org
This site provides detailed information and resources regarding the transition and graduation process for students with disabilities.
Senate Bill 139 (SB139)
In 2019, the 8th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 139 (SB139) which requires Texas local education agencies (LEAs) to distribute the following notice to parents:
IDEA, Dyslexia, MTSS, and Section 504
This is intended to provide Texas families with information regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Dyslexia, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Compensatory Services
This is intended to assist parents whose children may have been previously delayed or denied an evaluation under the IDEA in requesting compensatory services for their child.
Texas Project FIRSTTexas Project FIRST
http://www.texasprojectfirst.org
Significant Disproportionality
https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/sd-updates-faq-oct-2021.pdf
SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Cathy Guetersloh (806) 592-6037
504 COORDINATOR
Kristin Peters (806) 592-6057