Special Education

OUR COMMITMENT

The El Dorado School District is committed to locating, identifying and evaluating students with exceptionalities. If you suspect that your child has a disability, please reach out to the special education office at 870-864-5133.

Please read the District Health Handbook for additional information regarding our policies and practices for children with special needs.

WHAT IS SPECIAL EDUCATION?

Special education is specialized instruction that is specific to meet the needs of students with disabilities. When a student has been found eligible under The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, special education and related services are provided in public school at no cost to the parent. Special Education comes from IDEA, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

STEPS TAKEN TOWARDS IDENTIFICATION

Any time a student is struggling in school, parents or school staff may raise the question as to whether a special education evaluation may be necessary. A referral conference will be scheduled and held to decide if special education testing is needed at this time. If the decision is yes, then parents will be asked to consent for the evaluation. Once the evaluation is complete, all results will be shared with the IEP team. Based on the assessment results, the IEP team will determine eligibility for special education services.

After a student has been evaluated and found to be eligible for special education services, a team of educators and parents meet to develop an Individual Education Program (IEP) for the student. This plan will include goals and/or objectives as well as classroom and testing accommodations. Any necessary related services will also be included.

For more information, visit:

http://www.parentcenterhub.org/iep/

http://www.parentcenterhub.org/steps/

PARENTS' RIGHTS

When a child is referred for Special Education and annually thereafter, parents are provided a copy of their Procedural Safeguards or "Parent's Rights”. Below are links to the English and Spanish versions.

Parents' Rights - English

Parents' Rights - Spanish/Español

HELPFUL LINKS:

SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

SHAWN LAMKIN
Special Education Director
(870) 864-5133
Email Ms. Lamkin

EDUCATIONAL DIAGNOSTICIANS

Dana Porter

Kristi Miller

Janet Tribble

SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS

Marietta Woollen

Allyn Lowry

Maranda Hicks

Carli DeNoon

Hope Tarlton

Allison Griffin

Morgan McDonald

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION