Special Education

To qualify for special education services, a child must be evaluated and have both a disability and a need for individualized services. IEP stands for Individualized Education Program, which describes both a process and a written document. A student may qualify for special education services as an individual with special needs in one of fourteen areas identified by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004).

These are:

• Hard of Hearing/Hearing Impairment
• Deafness
• Visually Impairment
• Deaf-Blindness
• Speech or Language Impairment
• Specific Learning Disability
• Multiple Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment 
• Other Health Impairment
• Intellectual Disability
• Established Medical Disability
• Emotional Disability
• Autism
• Traumatic Brain Injury

Mark West Union School District is part of the Sonoma County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Sonoma County Special Education Local Plan Area. We are also a part of the Rincon Valley Partnership (RVP) Rincon Valley Partnership. Through the District, SELPA and RVP we offer a continuum of services for students with disabilities.

The Mark West Union School District is committed to the identification and service of students with disabilities within the least restrictive environment. The district provides children with disabilities a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) consistent with federal and state laws. Credentialed special education teachers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, adapted physical education specialists, school psychologists, and special education classified staff make up our exceptional special education professionals. 

Education Specialist Program

The Education Specialist Program  provides support in the general education curriculum. Students require specific accommodations in reading, written language and/or mathematics. These credentialed and licensed professionals conduct assessments of students and provide interventions using evidence-based practices, as well as, utilizing a continuum of service delivery models in the student’s least restrictive environment.

Special Day Class Program

The Special Day Class program provides special education core classes that parallel the general education curriculum. Students require modifications in reading, written language and/or mathematics. These credentialed and licensed professionals conduct assessments of students and provide instruction using evidence-based practices, as well as, utilizing a continuum of service delivery models in the student’s least restrictive environment.

Speech and Language Pathologists

Speech and Language Pathologists work as part of the Individual Education Program (IEP) team. These credentialed and licensed professionals conduct assessments of students and provide interventions using evidence-based practices, as well as, utilizing a continuum of service delivery models in the student’s least restrictive environment. These services are provided to develop, implement and achieve communication goals, which will directly impact the success of the  student in the attainment of their educational goals.

School Psychologists

School psychologists are trained in both psychology and education. Their training emphasizes preparation in both mental health and educational interventions, child development, learning, behavior, motivation, curriculum and instruction, and assessment. School psychologists help children meet challenges through their specialized training in psychology and education. They assist educators, parents, and other professionals to ensure that children learn in a safe, healthy and supportive setting. School psychologists understand childhood development, elements of successful learning and the school systems. Although the role of the school psychologist may vary according to the needs of the student population, all of the psychologists engage in the following core services: Consultation, Evaluation, Intervention, Collaboration, Prevention and System-wide Efforts.

Please note:  This information contains links to external websites, and MWUSD is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Parent Resources:

• Alternative Dispute Resolution English
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Spanish
• Parents’ Rights English
• Parents’ Rights Spanish
• Positive Behavior Support
• California Dyslexia Guidelines

Community Resources:

• Child Parent Institute – Child Parent Institute, formerly California Parenting Institute, is a parent education and children’s mental health agency serving families throughout Sonoma County since 1978. Our continuum of care includes child therapy, family resource assistance, parent education, facilitated supervised visitation and a non-public school (New Directions) providing adolescent special education/mental health services. We advocate for policies that support families and protect children.
  https://calparents.org/ 
• Community Action Partnership continues to have some funds for financial, Covid and fire relief:
  https://www.capsonoma.org/services/
• Early Learning Institute has a bilingual community navigator who can help families with children 0-5 locate community services:
  https://www.earlylearninginstitute.com/services-2

• Partnership Health Plan (MediCal HMO) has some updated community listings:
  • For general Sonoma County community resources:
    ​​​​​​​http://www.partnershiphp.org/Community/Pages/Sonoma-County-Resources.aspx