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Special Services would like to extend a welcome to you as you peruse our new web site. As you read through the following highlighted points of interest, keep in mind that the Madison Local School District provides special education services to approximately fourteen percent of the student population. Along with providing identified students with differentiated instruction, the students are provided with support from both an intervention specialist as well as a general education teacher. While the intent is to provide students with services in the regular education classroom setting, some students require more intensive services that are provided in a resource room.

The role of the special education intervention specialists is to work cooperatively with classroom teachers and other school personnel to ensure a common understanding and response to all of our students with special needs.

CHILD FIND

The Madison Local School District is committed to the location, identification and provision of a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for all children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 22. Referrals can be initiated by anyone with knowledge of the child who suspects a disability. Please contact Mrs. Tracy McDaniel, Director of Special Services, at 419-589-9549, with any questions, concerns, or names for Child Find referral within the Madison Local School District.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES SERVED

• Preschool Age Children (ages 3-5)
• School Age (ages 6-22), with identified disability
• Multiple Disabilities
• Deaf-Blindness
• Deafness (Hearing Impairment)
• Visual Impairment
• Speech and Language Impairment
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Emotional Disturbance (SBH)
• Cognitive Disabilities
• Specific Learning Disability
• Autism
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Other Health Impairment

CONTINUUM OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

The Madison Local School District works to meet the individual needs of children with disabilities by offering the full continuum of options allowed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (I.D.E.I.A.) and the Ohio Department of Education. Ohio is required to establish procedures to assure “to the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities are educated with children who are not disabled.” The Madison Local School District has the entire continuum of environments in the Junior High and High School, but some of our elementary programs are only currently available in specific buildings.

The needs of identified students within the school system are met in the least restrictive environment through the Individualized Education Plan. Each building has an Intervention Assistance Team that meets regularly to discuss the progress of students.

• Inclusion/Collaboration/Consultative Services-Regular Education Classes
• Inclusion (or Co Teaching) services focus on special educators and general educators working together to best meet the needs of students with disabilities as well as children who may be “at risk”.
• Tutoring Services/Small Group-Regular Education Classes - This service provides students with disabilities with support that helps to increase their opportunity to benefit from regular class placement. This is supplemental instruction which focuses on assisting students in becoming independent in the “process” of learning through the use of compensatory strategies, intervention support, and study/organizational techniques.
• Resource Room - The Resource Room serves children whose disabilities require a special education program. It offers a modified curriculum that provides a student with a disability with personalized option not offered in the general education program.
• Home Instruction - Our office can make this program available for any district students who are unable to attend a regular or special program due to medical issues.

RELATED SERVICES

Related Services are services needed by a child with a disability in order to benefit from Special Education, including:

• Aide Services
• Attendant Services
• Audiology Services
• Interpreting Services
• Medical Services
• Occupational Therapy
• Orientation and Mobility
• Physical Therapy
• Reader Services
• Psychological Services
• Speech/Language Pathology Services
• Rehabilitation counseling
• Parent counseling and training
• Counseling
• Recreational
• Special Transportation
• Social Work
• School health services
• School nurse services

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

• Whose Idea is This? - A Resource Guide for Parents
   
• State Support Team (SST) serves our region of schools, educators and parents in meeting the needs of students with disabilities by providing assistance. 419-747-4808
   
• The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities 740-382-5452 or 1-800-347-2806
   
• The State of Ohio Office of Exceptional Children 614-466-2650
   
• Madison Special Services
  Eastview Elementary School
  1262 Eastview Drive
  Mansfield, Ohio 44905
  419-589-9549

PUPIL SERVICES STAFF

• Tracy McDaniel Director of Special Services; oversees all PK-12 special education programs, home instruction and 504 programs in the district.
• Carolyn Beal Preschool Coordinator
• Tracy McDaniel School Psychologist: High School, Junior High, Eastview and out-of-district
• Robin Harpster School Psychologist: Mifflin, South, Preschool and Wooster Heights.
• Elaine Keirns Assistant to the School Psychologists
• Mary Lou Hubert Special Services Secretary