Special Education

The Cottonwood School is committed to providing free and appropriate quality special education (SPED) services to students who qualify under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004). Special Education is a program designed to support the unique educational needs of children with disabilities who meet the eligibility criteria under the law.

Our school takes great pride in our commitment to students’ growth and success. As we work together with our families, we strive to provide the most appropriate support and services to our students identified as eligible for Special Education. We are committed to developing meaningful partnerships with our parents as we work together to meet the unique needs and realize the full potential of each child.

A Parent’s Guide to Special Education

Are you new to The Cottonwood School and your child has an IEP? If so, here is some information regarding the Special Education program here.

Students are assigned a General Education Teacher, also known as the Homeschool Teacher, or HST, to support and assign General Education curriculum and other educational resources that The Cottonwood School offers. The HST supports the parent in tracking their child’s progress with the General Education curriculum.
Students with an IEP are also assigned an IEP Case Manager, who is the parent’s main contact for all IEP-related questions.
The Case Manager schedules all IEP-related meetings and communicates with the parent on an ongoing basis regarding the IEP.
When a student with an IEP enrolls at The Cottonwood School, an Interim IEP is held within 30 days to transfer the student’s IEP into our school setting.
Each year, the IEP Team will meet on or before the student’s Annual IEP date, in an online IEP meeting via Zoom.
IEP documents are sent electronically to the IEP team, including the parent, for review and signature.
Parents are provided an electronic copy of the final signed IEP.
IEP services at The Cottonwood School are provided both virtually and in-person by highly qualified service providers that are trained in addressing your child’s individual educational needs. The service providers address the student’s individualized goals listed in the IEP.
Our desire in the Special Education Department at The Cottonwood School is to support your child’s success in both meeting their IEP goals and the academic expectations in the General Education setting.
Communication is key in our school setting. Please reach out to your Case Manager with any questions you have about your child’s IEP.