Does your child need help?
SFUSD offers many different types of supports and interventions for students who are struggling with school. Read below to find descriptions of our general education interventions such as Coordinated Care Teams, Student Support Teams, Section 504 Programs and Special Education/IEP programs.
Special education services are available to students with disabilities who have Individual Education Programs (IEPs). Check out our IEP Guide for more information about Individual Education Programs. If you think your child might have a disability and would benefit from Special Education Services and an IEP you can start the process by requesting a Special Education Assessment.
Wondering if an IEP or a 504 is better for your child? This chart from Understood.org does a good job explaining the differences between an IEP and a 504 plan.)
NEW - Coordinated Care teams Help SFUSD Better Serve Students
Our new site-based Coordinated Care Teams integrate pre-existing teams that may have previously worked independently of one another, including Culture and Climate, Student Assistance Program (SAP), Family Partnership Team (FP-PIP) and Attendance Review Team (SART) into one team.
This will look different at various school sites. Generally speaking, there will be a site leader and process facilitator (like a wellness coordinator, a school nurse or a social worker) who will lead a team of members from the school community — including the student’s family whenever possible — that focus on improving the student’s outcomes.
Special Education Services (3-22)
Check out our Individual Education Program (IEP) Guide for more information about IEPs and the IEP Process. If you think your child might have a disability and would benefit from Special Education Services and an IEP you will need to request a Special Education Assessment to start the process.
Wondering if an IEP or a 504 is better for your child? This chart from Understood.org does a good job explaining the differences between an IEP and a 504 plan.
Read below for a description of the types of Special Education Services and Placements Offered at SFUSD.
Related Services (TK-12)
Related Services are available at every TK-12 school. Related Services provide specific and specialized instructional supports that increase access to core curriculum and grade-level peers. Students requiring only Related Services are assigned to the general education classroom for most of the day. However, Related Services may be delivered in a separate education setting per the student’s IEP. Related Services are:
- Speech and language services
- Audiological services
- Augmentative and alternative communication
- Orientation and mobility
- Vision services
- Adaptive physical education
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Assistive technology
- Counseling and mental health services
- Vocational education and career development
Resource Specialist Services (TK-12)
These services are available at every TK-12 school for students with disabilities and assigned to the general education classroom for most of the school day. The services focus on accessing grade-level content with grade-level peers, as well as individualized instructional supports. Each student is assigned a special education teacher (also called an Education Specialist), who is the student’s case manager. Resource Specialist services may be provided in the general education classroom and/or a separate setting as indicated in the student’s IEP. Students with low incidence disabilities may receive all, or a portion of their instruction, in a regular class and/or may also be enrolled in a separate class to receive specialized academic instruction as indicated in IEP.
Special Day Class (SDC)/Separate Class (TK-12)
Special Day Classes are for students who require separate class instruction and a smaller class size for the majority of the day. These classes are offered at select SFUSD schools. Students in separate classes for the majority of the day are assigned to a multi-grade classroom with a special education teacher. Instruction focuses on students accessing common core standards through accommodations, modifications and specialized academic instruction. SDC classrooms are assigned additional adult support.
Access - Adult Transition Program (ages 18-22)
Students eligible for Access, the Adult Transition Program, are on track for a Certificate of Completion at the end of 12th grade. Access programming includes post-secondary education, employment, and independent living skills. Individual student needs, strengths, preferences and interests inform IEP services for instruction, related services, community experiences, employment development, and other post-school adult living objectives. SFUSD students on IEPs are eligible for special education services through Access until they are 22 years of age or complete a high school diploma.