Students who are experiencing academic difficulties can get help in a variety of ways.  Typically, teachers and parents first have a phone conference to discuss concerns.  Then, a conference is scheduled at school to review progress, work samples, discipline records, reading levels, and assessment results.

If the student continues to have problems in school a local support team consisting of a parent, special education teacher, and administrator meet to discuss modifications that could make the child successful in the regular classroom.

The committee can also determine if the student is eligible for Section 504 services, and committee members may develop a plan of action and list of modifications to support the child's learning in the regular classroom.  All teachers who work with the child on a regular basis will be provided with a copy of modifications for the student.

Students who are unsuccessful in the regular education despite 504 modifications may be referred for special education services.  An IEP (Individual Education Program) meeting will be scheduled with the special education teacher, an administrator, regular education teacher, DeWitt-Lavaca Special Education Cooperative diagnostician, and the parents.  Members of the ARD (Admission Review and Dismissal) Committee will cooperatively make educational decisions regarding a child's educational program.

Shara Steffek, certified special education teacher, prepares individualized education programs and serves Sweet Home students in the regular classroom and during designated resource pull-out times.