Special Education

Special education services are available to students from ages 3 through 21 who experience disabilities. Individual special education programs are cooperatively developed by an individual education planning (IEP) team which includes parents, teachers, administrators and, when appropriate, other specialists. These teams make every effort to provide the appropriate special education program to children in a setting as close to the regular classroom as possible. 2008-09 Resources Special Education Handbook The online handbook is designed for use by district staff and parents to locate special education state regulations and district policy and procedures. Complying with IDEA 2004 Learn how the new IDEA will advance the educational success of children with disabilities as well as improve special education conditions. New Guidance Keep track of additional guidance posted in 2007-08 Section 504 The Special Education Division also monitors the provision of Section 504 Plans for those students who experience qualifying medical or mental health disabilities. Section 504 requires school staff to provide eligible students with disabilities with a free appropriate public education in which the benefits and opportunities are comparable to those provided to non-disabled students. Special Education site for employees Employees can check out this site for online training opportunities, new staff assistance, instructional ideas and overviews for each division. (Link above can be accessed only by employees on a computer connected to the district's network.)

Read a letter of welcome from Special Education Executive Director, Jerry Sjolander Connections from Jerr New issue posted September 2008 An online newsletter from the Executive Director for ASD educators and community members regarding the growth of the ASD Special Education Department.

Questions & Answers Frequently Asked Questions Common questions parents have and who to contact to find answers. Sped_Connect Helps school district employees find departmental information and locate answers to their special education questions in a timely manner.

For Parents and Teachers

Definitions of special education terms
This section includes information for teachers and parents about the "lingo" that is used in the special education process.

NCLB and IDEA: What Parents of Students with Disabilities Need to Know and Do
This guide is published by the National Center on Educational Outcomes in collaboration with the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education.  At 23 pages, the guide should be useful to parents who are not necessarily familiar with the relevant educational jargon and provides information about these two very important federal laws.

Notice of Procedural Safeguards
To ensure parent involvement in the special education process, several rights to which parents are entitled were included in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. These rights are referred to as "procedural safeguards." [Notice of Procedural Safeguards]

Out of District Tuition – 07-08 (PDF)
This information is designed for parents of students residing outside the Anchorage School District who wish to enroll their child in ASD.

Preschool Special Education Services
Learn more about Anchorage School District Preschool Special Education Services

Training
Links to training schedules and online training available for parents and staff

What Every Teacher Should Know
All staff within ASD schools should anticipate that he or she may work with students receiving special education services or accommodations and modifications under Section 504 Plans. This guide explains basic concepts and obligations all teachers should be aware of.

 

For Prospective Employees

Employment & Recruiting
The Anchorage School District which serves approximately 42% of the state's population has current and future openings — check out this Web section to learn more about openings and to learn how to apply for a position.

Salary Schedule
Anchorage School District employees and their families enjoy health and life insurance, including dental and vision plans. Retirement benefits for certificated employees are provided through the State of Alaska Teacher Retirement System (TRS). This section includes salary schedules for teachers and principals.

General Information

Savvy Newsletters - Psych Savvy and OT Savvy
ASD now has two Savvy Newsletters - Psych Savvy and OT Savvy. This section includes links to articles prepared for parents and educators by members of the Anchorage School District Psychology & Occupational Therapy Departments.

Study Skills Links
This purpose of this site is to assist students, teachers and parents in finding Internet Study Skills resources.

STEP Center
The STEP Center provides information resources for students, educators and parents within the Anchorage School District.

Programs
This section includes a listing and description of the programs and services that are available through ASD's Special Education Department.

Alaska Family Directory
Moving to another Alaskan school district? Check our the directory to locate resources for your family in your new school district. This Web site is funded by a grant from the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development and maintained by the Anchorage School District's STeP Center.