The Special Programs Department consists of a variety of student instructional and support areas, including:

Dyslexia
Section 504
Special Education   
Student Health & Nursing
Counseling
Social Work

Philosophy: 
It is the philosophy of the DISD Special Programs Department to support the mission of DISD by providing a continuum of instructional, behavioral and social services focused on the student’s needs in the least restrictive environment with maximized access to the general curriculum.  Teachers and service providers adhere to the rigorous academic content required of all DISD students while recognizing a student’s unique situation.

Program Design
A continuum of services means that a student may have support provided in a variety of settings, depending on the student’s need.  For example, a student with minimal needs might have support provided in class by the classroom teacher or other support professional. A student with more moderate needs might be pulled into a small group (either in or out of class). A student with significant needs may be served in a specialized class, whereas a student with profound needs may be served in a self-contained setting.

Student Planning Committees
DISD provides a variety of student planning committees.  Each campus has a system for a campus
Problem Solving Team(called a PST) where teachers, parents, support professionals, or administrators can informally and/or formally address student concerns.  Students who are eligible for protection under Section 504Admissions, Review and Dismissal (ARD)  committee. Students who meet the district’s criteria for dyslexia  will have a committee of knowledgeable persons. If the student is dually served under dyslexia and Section 504, the student’s 504 committee is the committee of knowledgeable persons.  If the student is dually served under dyslexia (or reading disability) and special education, the student’s ARD committee is the committee of knowledgeable persons.

Program Goals

Provide challenging, grade-level, academic instruction, with consideration of a student’s unique needs in order to promote mastery of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

Provide interventions and document progress as indicated by the student’s PST

Provide accommodations as indicated by the student’s 504 committee

Provide instructional and related services as indicated by the student’s ARD committee

Seek and encourage parental participation in student planning committees

Provide all services in the student’s least restrictive environment, with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate


Special Programs Team Leaders