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Special Services

Special Education Services

Payson Schools provides special education services in all federally and state-defined categories, in the least restrictive environment. Our staff: dedicated and passionate teachers, speech therapists, specialists and instructional assistants, collaborate with parents to develop IEPs  (educational plans) for IDEA-eligible  students, which assure appropriate academic achievement and participation in the general curriculum.

– Dr. Barbara Fitzgerald, Director of Special Services

 

 

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Special Education Programs

District

Our district provides site-based programs for high incidence disabilities and specialized programs at specific schools for those with lower incidence disabilities. All district students with vision, hearing, physical or occupational therapy (PT/OT) needs receive services from contract providers, fully certified or licensed. The district is fortunate to have a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) on staff to reinforce OT goals for all identified students. The district has a licensed school psychologist and an ABA-certified Autism Specialist on staff. All students receive services based on their documented needs and IEP team decisions. Support staff and instructional support personnel are provided as need dictates.

Payson High School

Staff: Reading and Math Resource teachers, an Autism resource teacher, a Behavior Specialist, and a Community Based Instruction classroom.

Payson Center for Success

Rim Country Middle School

Staff: Reading and Math Resource teachers, an Autism Resource teacher, and a self-contained classroom.

Elementary Schools

With a new grade configuration this year some programs have seen some change. Both elementary schools (Payson Elementary K-2 and Julia Randall Elementary 3-5) have a resource teacher who provides pullout and classroom support services, a third resource teacher is itinerant and serves students at both schools. A speech therapist is assigned to each school. Children with autism, receive support from the Autism Specialist at each site. Both schools also have a self-contained program for children who need a more restricted/structured environment.

Julia Randall is home to the district special needs preschool—First Steps. Children needing early intervention services from 3 to 5 years of age are serviced here. The program is language and social skill-development based.

 

Other Special Programs

Every school in the District provides ADA section 504 accommodations to students with special needs, who do not need special educational supports. Contact the administration at each site for documentation information. A link to the process is provided here.

Payson Alternate Resource Center PARC

PARC is a new program for students with serious emotional challenges or behavioral problems. Some students find an active campus too distracting and overwhelming to be successful getting their education there. PARC is a combination therapeutic and academic program that supports students special needs while still providing a quality academic program.

RTI- Response to Instruction

Each school has a process in place to provide supports to students who are struggling to master academic content. Response to Instruction (RTI) models follow a specific protocol of interventions, that may prevent children from being referred to special education, has been developed K-8. Response to research supported interventions has the potential to help struggling students catch up to their age-peers and succeed in school. Each RTI program monitors how well students are responding to these instructional interventions to assure they make good progress in reading and math. We will be adding the high schools to the program in 2012.

Child Find (AZFind) procedures apply to school-age as well as preschool placement. If you have a concern about the academic progress of your child give us a call. Parents/guardians are always welcome to discuss possible screening for their child which may lead to a full evaluation plan.

ADA 504 Accommodations: Payson Schools provide accommodations for students at all sites based on the updated requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Rehabilitation Act. Visit this linked page for more information.

The Special Services office supports students in home settings through the “Homebound” Program. Children with medical conditions (ie. accidents or surgery) can receive educational support from a Homebound Tutor to help them keep up with their schoolwork when possible.

Special Services also facilitates the District Gifted and Talented (GATE) student education programs. Each site has a coordinator who manages student programs, provides testing and accommodation planning, and often teaches gifted students. Arizona standards focus on students with exceptionalities being educated within the general education setting as much as possible. Acceleration and curriculum compacting are 2 options for students in the program.

Please contact the Special Services Office if we can help.
(928-472-5800)

If you have questions or concerns about these programs and how they might affect your child, please direct your inquiries to:

Payson Unified School District #10
Office of Special Services
P.O. Box 919
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5800
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