Worthington ISD 518 Special Education

Mission Statement

District 518 schools have a commitment to provide quality special education services to students with disabilities.

Special Education Overview

Worthington 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 Act (IDEA) and Minnesota Rules Chapter 3525, Worthington 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 518. Services are available to students identified with one or more of the following disabling conditions:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Blind/Visual Impairment
• Deaf-Blind
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Developmental Cognitive Disability
• Emotional or Behavioral Disorder
• Other Health Disability
• Physical Impairment
• Specific Learning Disability
• Speech or Language Impairment
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Severely Multiply Impaired

For more information on special education please visit:  https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/sped/

Each student must meet the state of Minnesota eligibility criteria to be eligible to receive services determined through an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) meeting or an Individual Education Program (IEP) meeting.  These plans describe the student’s Present Levels of Academic and Functional Performance, special education needs, goals and objectives, accommodations & modifications, and services designed to meet the student’s individual needs.  These plans are designed to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for the student to make adequate progress.

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. 

The Total Special Education System (TSES) is a summary of procedures for Worthington Public Schools special education services.

The Restrictive Procedures Plan outlines Worthington Public Schools procedures for implementing the use of restrictive procedures when an emergency situation exists.  This plan can be reviewed here: Restrictive Procedures Plan 

For more information, please contact:

Allison Eitreim, Director of Special Education

(507) 727-1223