Childfind Information
by Mrs. Ratka
April 29, 2008
Special Education Programs and Handicapped Children
The board of education reaffirms its position that all children in the Minden district, regardless of their handicapping condition, including but not limited to speech and language disorders, hearing impairments, visual impairments, mental retardation, specific learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, physical and neurological handicaps, and severe or multiple handicapps, are entitled to a free appropriate public education, and an equal opportunity for education according to the individual's needs. The board assumes the responsibility to assure that handicapped children are identified, evaluated, and verified from birth (or date of diagnosis) through age 21. Services are provided by the schools or contracted with an outside agency to meet the resident handicapped children. Programs shall include, but not be restricted to the development of self-realization, social awareness, economic usefulness, and civic responsibility. To avoid expensive duplication, every effort will be made to utilize established programs in cooperation with contracting agencies approved by the Nebraska Department of Education. The right to an appeal of an educational placement of a handicapped child shall be available to the parents and/or guardians of all children who have handicapping conditions. Parents who feel their child might have a handicapping condition should contact Mary Lieske, Director of Special Services, at 832-2460, so arrangements can be made for an evaluation.
