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EPHRATA SCHOOL DISTRICT

We are unified in bridging KIDS and their LEARNING

Special Services Home

Special Services Home

We have a strong commitment to providing quality services to our students with disabilities.

Welcome to the Ephrata School District special education homepage. We believe in providing the best possible education for all students. For some students with disabilities this may mean special education. Our staff is a devoted, compassionate and experienced team of skilled educators prepared to support as well as challenge our students in special education.

"Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or in the same way." 

  • A young child smiles, showing off colorful paint on their hands.

     

    Child Find is a federal program that helps determine if your child has a disability and assists in  providing appropriate services.

    Parents who believe their child (birth to 21 years) may have a disability or have concerns about their child's development should contact our Child Find program. Children can be screened to determine if an evaluation is necessary to identify if they have a disability or developmental delay and if they are eligible for special education services. Referrals are accepted from sources within or outside the school district. This service is provided free of charge. Call (509) 754-3538 to make an appointment.

     

    Child Find Information by Age

    • Ages 0 to 3

      Developmental screening for children ages Birth to 3 is scheduled by contacting:

      Janelle Bersch
      Early Childhood Coordinator, NCESD
      430 Olds Station Road
      Wenatchee, WA  98801
      phone: (509) 664-3781 | fax: (509) 662-9027
      If a delay is suspected, an evaluation will be recommended to determine a child’s need and eligibility for early intervention services provided by the North Central Educational Services District (NCESD).

    • Ages 3 to 5

      Preschool Child Find is a service with the primary focus of locating and identifying children ages 3-5 who may be delayed in their development. 

      Anyone may refer a child for a developmental screening by calling:
      Ephrata School District Special Services Office (509) 754-3538

      Child Find Flyer

    • Ages 5 to 21
      Referrals are accepted from sources within or outside the school district. Ephrata School District professionals screen all referrals to determine whether evaluation is appropriate.
       
      Anyone may refer a child for special education eligibility. If your child attends a school in the Ephrata School District, please start this process by contacting your child’s school directly. All referrals for special education eligibility must be submitted in writing.
       
    • Private School Students
      Anyone may refer a child for special education eligibility. If your child attends a private school in the Ephrata School District, please start this process by contacting your child’s school directly. All referrals for special education eligibility must be submitted in writing.
       
    • Referrals (Ages 5 to 21)

      A parent of a child, a school district, a public agency, or other persons knowledgeable about the child may initiate a request for an initial evaluation to determine if the student is eligible for special education. The request will be in writing, unless the person is unable to write. (WAC 392-172A-03005) LINK

      Schedule a Screening (Ages 3-5)
      If you suspect your child has a disability, please contact the Special Services Office at 754-3538.

     

  • The Ephrata School District offers a continuum of services based on special education eligibility. Student needs are addressed through a variety of services, including:

    • Inclusive Preschool
    • Inclusive Classrooms
    • Resource Classrooms
    • Life Skills Classrooms
    • Pull Out Services (removing kid from classroom to special ed environment)
    • Push In Services (special ed teacher into general education environment)
    • Speech and Language Services
    • Motor Services (occupational and physical therapy)
    • Vision Services
    • Post Secondary Transition Services

  • What is an IEP?

    In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1994, an IEP is a detailed description of the Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) and services a student with disabilities needs to receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). An IEP is a contract between families and the Ephrata School District describing the specific education services a child will receive. This plan is tailored to a child’s unique needs.

    An IEP Includes:

    • A statement of the student's current levels of educational and functional performance
    • Measurable annual goals
    • A statement of how a student’s progress will be measured and when periodic reports will be provided
    • A statement describing the adverse educational impact of the student’s disability on access to the general curriculum
    • A description of the services a child will receive in both general education and special education settings (Least Restrictive Environment or LRE)
    • A description of related or supplementary aids and services the student will receive
    • A description of program modifications and accommodations to be provided to the student
    • A description of how the student will participate in general education classes and activities, and if not, why
    • The location, duration, and frequency of services to be delivered
    • Dates on which services will begin and end
    • Beginning at age 16, a description of measurable postsecondary goals and transition services to help achieve those goals
    • A description of the statewide assessment to be administered to the student
    • For a complete description of IEP requirements, please reference WAC 392-172A-03090

  • 504

    If you have a 504, your accommodation plan can follow you to college. To make your school aware of your plan, take your most recent plan to the student services department of your new college.
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    IEP

    If you have an IEP, that plan ends at graduation. If you are continuing to college, take your last IEP and last evaluation to the student services department of your college and request 504 accommodations.

    For both a 504 or an IEP, you must self-declare your disability to the college. It is not the college’s responsibility to find you.

    Questions: call our Special Services Department: (509) 754-3538

  • What is a 504 Plan?

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly called "Section 504," is a federal law that protects students from discrimination based on disability. It applies to all programs and activities that receive federal funding, including Washington public schools.

    Equal Opportunities & Benefits

    Federal and state law protect students from disability discrimination in public schools. These laws ensure students with disabilities have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to students without disabilities. Students with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities are protected under Section 504.

    Under Section 504, students with disabilities can access the accommodations, aids, and services needed to benefit from education. Section 504 requires public schools to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to every student with a disability, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability.

    Resources