In DoDEA, we embrace the notion that all students will be successful in our schools. Special educators work collaboratively with general educators and share the responsibility for ensuring that students with identified disabilities will meet with success. All students can learn when instruction is geared to their strengths and they are given sufficient opportunity to learn. Special education is specially designed instruction, support, and services provided to students with an identified disability requiring an individually designed instructional program to meet their unique learning needs.
Instruction for these children is delivered in the most appropriate manner. Ways students can be served are as follows:
- Pull out programs where students leave their regular classroom for a specified portion of the day to work with a certified special educator.
- Inclusion of support and instruction for the student is given in the regular classroom. The classroom teacher and special educator plan cooperative lessons and arrangements that are in the best interest of the student.
- When the Individual Education Program (IEP) dictates, para-educators (instructional aides trained in special education techniques) provide support in the regular classroom or in the learning center room.
- Consultations are provided to the the regular education teacher(s) by the special educator.
- Related services are provided within the classroom setting or outside of the regular classroom in a specialized setting, depending on what is the least restrictive environment.
Related Services
- Psychologist Services
- Speech
- Social Work Services
- Audiology
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
The Kaiserslautern District is fortunate to have a center that contains a variety of assistive technology software and equipment for loan to special education programs in schools for special needs students. The goal is to try various assistive technologies with students with special needs. If, after a trial, there is evidence that the assistive technology improves the student’s skills/performance/attainment of goals, then the Case Study Committee (CSC) will consider the device to be necessary and will add it to the Individual Education Plan (IEP). This ensures that a student has what is necessary for success.
The Kaiserslautern Assistive Technology Lending Library also has a large reference library of books and videos covering a variety of topics related to children with special needs and special education programs. Many are useful for inservices with parent and/or teachers, others provide resources for staff on topics such as how to handle various behaviors associated with specific disabilities, how to effectively use paraeducators, and information on autism. With the reauthorization of Indviduals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), all students with special needs must be considered for assistive technology. Assistive technology is defined as anything that can help a student achieve the IEP goals and to participate more independently within the general education setting.The Assistive Technology Lending Library is currently located at:
Ramstein Elementary School, building 904, room 123
Phone: CIV. 06371-47-3996 or DSN 480-3996
Kaiserslautern District Point of Contact
Any trials with assistive technology for students with special needs should be coordinated with the special education teacher. Assistive technology is discussed at every IEP meeting and it is important that the special educator is aware of all students' assistive technology needs. The educator can come over to the Assistive Technology Lending Library to browse through and check out items to try with students. Items are checked out for a quarter, often with an option to extend if the item is not on the waiting list. In order to request items from the Lending Library, the Lending Library Agreement Form can also be forwarded to the Kaiserslautern District Point of Contact. Please note that parents must go through their child's special education teacher in order to borrow items from the Lending Library.
Assistive technology not available to all students in the classroom should be listed on the Individualized Education Plan if required by a special education student. Assistive technology available to all students, (e.g., the computer lab) to which the child has access, usually is not specified on the Individualized Education Plan. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires schools to provide assistive technology if it is required for a student to receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Assistive technology must be provided at no cost to the parents.
