The Pleasant Local School District’s Office of Exceptional Children is committed in providing leadership, assistance, professional development, and oversight in providing differentiated/personalized instruction for students with disabilities and gifted students.
Responsibilities include, coordination and compliance of state and federal funds; coordination of programs to improve outcomes for students with disabilities and gifted students; compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations; and providing technical assistance to school personnel around issues of compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA).
Special Education
Child Find is the process of locating, evaluating, and identifying children with disabilities who may be in need of special education and related services. The Pleasant Local School District is committed to the location, identification and provision of a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for all children between the ages of 3 and 22.
The combined efforts of dedicated professionals and concerned parents allow us to provide quality services that are truly student focused. The Individualized Educational Program (IEP) team, which includes the parents, determines the appropriate program and need for related services based on the individual educational needs of the student.
Programming includes Cross Categorical resources and instructional support K-12, Early Childhood Preschool programming through the NCOESC ages 3-5yrs., and Help Me Grow connections ages Birth to 3 yrs.
Some of the related services include audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, school health services, career & technical educational supports, vocational/transition services, psychological services, acquisition of daily living skills, support for transition to post-secondary education and interagency linkages.
If you have concerns about a child’s ability or skills and suspect there may be a disability, please contact the Director of Student Services, Dr. Shelly Dason at 740-360-8924
Parent Guide - Whose IDEA Is This?http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Special-Education/A-Guide-to-Parent-Rights-in-Special-EducationOhio Department of Special Educationhttp://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Special-EducationGiftedThe Pleasant Local School District is committed to identify and nurture gifted students through rigorous, student-centered learning experiences and social-emotional supports delivered by gifted trained classroom teachers under the direction of our Gifted Coordinator, Deb Logan.
Students are identified as Gifted and Talented through the use of state-approved assessments. As outlined in House Bill 282, Ohio Revised Code 3301-51-15, the state of Ohio mandates that school districts identify students in four areas: superior cognitive ability, specific academic ability (math and reading), creative thinking ability, and the visual and performing arts. Ohio also identifies students in social studies and science.
In addition to students being identified through state-required grade level testing, students may be referred for additional testing by parents, teachers, community members, peers or themselves. With parent/guardian approval, students then will be given additional testing.
Identification TimelinesAugust – September: Fall MAP testing window for Grades K-8 (grades 2-8 for gifted ID)
October – November: Fall identification testing window for students with referrals or who meeting screening criteria.
October – December: CogAT for Grades 2 and 6
December -– January: Winter MAP testing window for Grades K-8 (grades 2-8 for gifted ID)
March – April: Spring identification testing window for students with referrals or who meet screening criteria.
May: Spring MAP testing window for Grades K-8 (grades 2-8 for gifted ID)
*Parent or teacher referrals can be made any time during the school year.
Differentiated CurriculumAll students, including gifted learners, require curriculum that is differentiated according to readiness, interests, and learning styles. Differentiated instruction allows students to learn at an appropriate pace and participate in challenging and rigorous learning opportunities. Differentiating instruction involves assessing student needs, designing activities and lessons to address those needs, and evaluating the results. It enables teachers to meet the learning needs of a diverse population of students. Some examples of differentiation strategies include, but are not limited to: flexible grouping, curriculum compacting, tiered assignments, independent studies, learning centers and choice menus, and subject or grade acceleration.
Written Education Plans (WEPs and WAPs)Students who receive gifted services require a Written Education Plan (WEP). The purpose of a WEP is to communicate among gifted coordinators, classroom teachers and parents about the gifted service a child is receiving. The service should match the child’s area(s) of identification. WEPS are written and sent home at the end of the first grading period or shared at the Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences. Written Acceleration Plans (WAP) are documents developed for each student during the initial phase of academic acceleration. Students being subject-area accelerated, whole-grade accelerated, or admitted as early entrance to kindergarten are all placed on a Written Acceleration Plan, which takes effect on the first day of the acceleration and continues for a limited period of time.
Withdrawal from ServiceStudents may be withdrawn from gifted services at parent request. It is strongly encouraged that the IAT process is utilized first to try to find strategies to ensure student success. A withdrawal form is available upon request. If withdrawal occurs, the withdrawal form must be submitted to the Director of Student Services. Withdrawal or refusal of service is in effect for the school year in which it was requested. Students who are removed from gifted services may participate in gifted services in future years provided they meet the eligibility criteria in place for services at that time.