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Special Education

The Willmar Public Schools provide comprehensive special education services for students with disabilities from birth through 21 years of age. Guided by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and Minnesota Rules Chapter 3525, the Willmar Public Schools ensure students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education.

“Special education” is instruction, specific to the child, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. It is important to note: Students with disabilities are general education students first. They receive special education support services in conjunction with the general education curriculum.  Special education is an instructional service, not a place.”

Special education services are available to address the educational needs of disabled students attending School District 347. Services are available to students identified with one or more of the following disabling conditions:
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Deaf-Blind, Deaf or Hard of Hearing
  • Emotional or Behavioral Disorders
  • Developmental Cognitive Disability
  • Developmental Delay
  • Other Health Disabilities
  • Physically Impaired
  • Severely Multiply Impaired
  • Specific Learning Disability
  • Speech or Language Impairment
  • Traumatic Brain Injured 
  • Visually Impaired

For more information on disability categories please visit http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/EdExc/SpecEdClass/DisabCateg/index.html.
Each student receiving special education services must meet State of Minnesota eligibility criteria and have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is a comprehensive plan addressing needs to the individual student.
If you suspect your child may suffer from any of the disabling conditions listed above please contact your child’s building principal for more information. 
 
Special Education