At Kuspuk School District, special education services are provided at no cost to families and are designed to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities. These services include specially designed instruction, which involves adapting the content, teaching methods, or delivery of instruction to support the individual needs of each child and ensure meaningful access to the general education curriculum.
It’s important to remember that special education is a service, not a place. Our goal is to provide the appropriate supports that help every student succeed, wherever learning takes place.
Two federal laws protect children with disabilities, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. Children experiencing disabilities are guaranteed a free appropriate public education (FAPE) under IDEA and Alaska State Regulations (34 CFR 300.111).
Under IDEA, a child can qualify as having a disability under one of the following eligibility categories:
Section 504 defines disabled as "any person who has a physical or mental disability which substantially limits a major life activity or has a record of such a disability or is regarded as having such a disability". Please refer to the contacts above for more information about whether your child may qualify for services under IDEA or Section 504.
IDEA provides for a "Free Appropriate Public Education" to all children experiencing disabilities.
This means an education at no cost that addresses each child's unique needs based on an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) which is provided in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Based on LRE, each child must be educated with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. Any removal from the general education setting must be necessary and justified based on the child's individual needs. IDEA places a responsibility on parents to become actively involved with their child's education. It also establishes rights to which parents are entitled, known as the Procedural Safeguards.
Kuspuk School District is committed to providing comprehensive educational services to children with disabilities whose needs cannot be fully met through the general education program alone. These services are designed by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team—which includes the parent—to ensure supports are tailored to meet each child’s unique needs in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Kuspuk offers a full continuum of special education placements. These range from support within the general education classroom, to instruction delivered by special education staff, to more specialized settings such as resource rooms, self-contained classrooms, or instruction in home, hospital, or institutional settings, as appropriate.
Additionally, the IEP team may identify the need for related services to support the student’s success. These services may include speech-language therapy, occupational or physical therapy, counseling, audiology services, specialized nursing support, or transportation.
Our goal is to ensure every student has access to the education and support they need to thrive.
Kuspuk School District is committed to protecting the confidentiality of all information related to students with disabilities. Personally identifiable information is only shared with individuals who have a legitimate educational interest in the student’s success.
The district will obtain written consent from a parent or guardian before disclosing any such information to individuals outside of the school system—except in cases where disclosure is permitted by law. This includes school employees with a direct role in the student’s education, staff at the school where the student is enrolled, or authorized representatives of the U.S. Department of Education or the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.
Protecting student privacy is a priority, and we take every measure to ensure student information is handled with care and in compliance with all legal requirements.
