Special Education Services

The Philomath School District offers special education services designed to meet individual student needs. Services are provided by teachers qualified to teach in the area of disability or by regular education teachers in consultation with the specialist.
Each school in the district offers programs to support students who are on Individual Education Plans (IEP). Some programs and services are provided in partnership with Linn Benton Lincoln Education Service District (LBLESD) Regional Programs.
Special education services may include a combination of the following:
• Evaluation
• Consultation
• Specially Designed Instruction
• Curriculum Accommodations or Modifications
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Physical and Occupational Therapy
• Augmentative Communication
• Autism Services
• Vision Services
• Hearing Services

Special Education Eligibility
The District supports students who are eligible for specially designed instruction in these areas:
• Communication Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Hearing Impairment
• Visual Impairment
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impairments
• Specific Learning Disability
• Emotional Disturbance
• Deaf Blindness
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Intellectual Disability

The Philomath School District offers a continuum of services to students, Kindergarten through age 21. These services are provided in the least restrictive environment as required in Federal and State law. These services may be provided in any of the following settings or combinations of settings.
SPED Elementary Resource Center and Secondary Resource Center programs provide support and guidance to SPED students in meeting the requirements of regular education curriculum with accommodations, adaptations and specially designed instruction. Support in academics, social and behavioral goals and vocational education preparation are also part of LRC services.

SPED Life Skills programs offer every student the opportunity to learn functional skills that will maximize individual independence throughout the school years and into adulthood. Life Skills programs focus on helping each student successfully navigate their school and work environments by acquiring skills to live by such as self-hygiene, functional academics, social and behavioral learning, and vocational adaptations.

The Special Education Department’s Speech and Language Pathologists and their assistants implement best practices to assist students with speech and language needs. All services are guided by the IEP process. Services are provided within the student's classroom or in a small group setting outside of the classroom.

A School Psychologist is assigned to work in each school building to assess the academic and psychological/social needs of the students who are having learning or behavior problems. School Psychologists also assist with re-evaluation and three year reviews on those students who are currently identified as disabled.

A Behavior Consultant provides support to students and their parents, and school staff in order to assist students with behavioral or emotional issues that prevent them from experiencing success in school. Most schools attempt strategies developed from a building level staff before considering a referral for services.

Special Education Advisory Committee
The Philomath SEAC (Special Education Advisory Committee) consists of members who are committed to quality education for children with disabilities. Members meet monthly and are knowledgeable about resources and contacts for parents. Please check out the link on the Philomath website for additional information. PhilomathSEAC@gmail.com

Child Find Notice
The Philomath School District locates, evaluates and serves children from birth through age 21 with cognitive, motor, social, behavior, speech, language, hearing or vision needs. If you know a child who may have a need in one or more of these areas or if you would like more information about our services, please contact your child’s teacher, principal, or:
Birth to age 5: Debbie McPheeters, EI/ECSE Program Administrator, 541-753-1202
Kindergarten through age 21: Dan Forbess, Superintendent, 541-929-3169
Ann Lavond, Special Education Director, 541-929-2524