Special Education
Our Mission
By working as a highly effective special education team we will, 1) increase participation in general education through collaborating, training, and supporting local programs and staff which will 2) decrease the number of students qualifying for services in the areas of Speech and Language, Learning Disabilities, and Emotional Impairments.
Hamler Administration Building - Special Education Staff
Delivering Excellence
For the vast majority of students with special needs, excellent services are provided in the regular education environment with added support. Local districts provide special education programs and services and MAISD provides staff, services and programs, where it has been determined that the student requires a more restrictive placement offering. These students attend programs at one of our many satellite classrooms located in buildings throughout our constituent districts or our Seiter Education Center facility located in Greenville, Michigan.
Early Intervention
Montcalm ISD also provides Early Childhood early interventions services through our Early On and Build Up Michigan. Early diagnosis and intervention can be a key component for a child's future success. Any child found to have an impairment that interferes with educational performance and meets the eligibility criteria, according to the rules of Michigan, is eligible for special education services. If you believe your child may need early intervention services please visit our Early Childhood page for more information.
Supports and Services
Special education services are available to eligible students from birth through high school graduation or age 26, as appropriate. Each school district and public school academy provides special education programs and services to students with disabilities. MAISD provides collaborative supports, guidance, resources and technical assistance to assist with professional development, program development, parent support, technology and legal requirements to ensure the individualized needs of all students is addressed. Montcalm ISD provides an array of special education services such as transportation, assistive technology, transition, Multi-Tier System of Supports (Behavior and Literacy), teacher consultant services, and school psychology.
Special Education By The Numbers
Approximately 1,800 students with disabilities are served by Montcalm Intermediate School District and its 7 local school districts. ISD programs employ over 150 staff members, including teachers, nurses, ancillary personnel, para-educators, transportation personnel, supervisors, and administrative assistants.
School Social Worker
The school social worker may provide direct service to eligible students in need of support in the affective area. Through play, individual discussion or group experiences, children can develop better understanding of feelings and improve relations with others. Also, the school social worker may consult with staff and parents regarding behavior, emotions and other issues. In addition, the school social worker may be a member of a multi-disciplinary team in the evaluation of a student.
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology Technician:
The AT Technician along with the AT team directly assists children with disabilities in the selection, acquisition, and or use of an assistive technology device by the means of following the MAISD AT Process.
What is Assistive Technology?
"Wikipedia" definition - Assistive Technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them.
Assistive Technology Process:
The Montcalm Area ISD Special Education Assistive Technology Team has adopted the following process, based on the SETT Framework, by Joy Zabula, to be used as a template to help the Individual student teams that wish to start an effective AT process.
Nursing
In order to provide high quality medical services to students, MAISD contracts nursing services through Corewell Health, formerly Spectum Health. A Registered nurse and Licensed Practical nurses are available for direct support, as well as through MedNow. MedNow is a telehealth program that is a fast and convenient way to receive care using technology to bridge the distance between the student and provider.
Occupational Therapy
The occupational therapist may provide direct service or consultation for children who have impairments of a fine motor nature. In addition, students with sensory deficits may be appropriately served by an occupational therapist. Services may be offered individually or in small groups and are delivered directly or via consultation. The occupational therapist may also be a member of a multi-disciplinary evaluation team.
Physical Therapy
School Psychologist
The school psychologist's main function is in the evaluation of children who have been referred for an initial evaluation or reevaluation of special education eligibility. The school psychologist often services as the leader of the multi-disciplinary evaluation team assigned to evaluate a child. In addition, the school psychologist provides insight into learning styles, accommodations, strengths/weaknesses, etc. for classroom teachers and parents.
Speech and Language Therapy
Speech and language therapy (SLP) helps students by improving their ability to speak clearly, understand language, and communicate effectively, which boosts academic success, social skills, reading comprehension, and overall school confidence by addressing issues like stuttering, vocabulary, following directions, and social cues, leading to less frustration and greater independence. SLPs work on speech clarity (articulation), language comprehension and expression, social communication (pragmatics), cognitive skills for learning, using fun, play-based methods tailored to each student.
Teacher Consultant
Teacher consultants (TC's) serve as part of the diagnostic team; evaluating students, assisting in planning programs and in consulting with teachers. In some incidents, TC's also provide instruction to students with impairments who are enrolled full time in regular education. Students of any eligibility category might be served through the TC model. TC's cannot teach a subject or give grades, but are primarily responsible for remediation, study skills or coordinating the student's program. Providing support to the regular education or special education teacher is also part of the TC's responsibility. Students who receive the support services of a TC graduate through the regular education course of study.
