Exceptional Learners

Hamilton Southeastern Schools provides a full continuum of special education services for eligible students.

Special education includes specially-designed instruction to meet a student’s unique educational needs and related services to support a student’s educational program. The services range from support for students placed in general education classroom settings to self-contained specialized programs for students whose educational needs require more intensive services and support.

Description of Services

Hamilton Southeastern Schools makes special education and related services available to students from age 3 through 21 and offers a full continuum of placement options for students with special needs as deemed appropriate by the case conference committee. For students with disabilities from age 3 until the student is age-eligible for kindergarten, HSE offers a continuum of Pre-School services. The student’s developmental, educational and behavioral needs are considered by the case conference committee when determining the appropriate placement in the least restrictive environment.

For students who are age-eligible for kindergarten through age 21, HSE offers a continuum of placement options that includes, but is not limited to:

special education services and supports being provided in the general education classroom (sometimes referred to as “inclusion”)
general education classroom placement supported by services and assistance that are provided outside the general education classroom (often called “resource services”)
separate classrooms that provide instruction in functional academics, life skills and basic skills, or address behavioral challenges (this placement may or may not be in addition to the student’s participation in one or more general education settings or classes)
a separate public school facility, FOCUS (Foundation of Characteristics Unique to Success), provides instruction and behavioral support for students who require a more intensive level of service.

Hamilton Southeastern Schools believes in the power of diversity and all students learning together for PreK-12. Children learn from one another and have individual strengths. We believe in the importance of offering a continuum of services for students with exceptional needs.  

Preschool Services

The Preschool of the Natural Sciences for HSE Schools is based on the belief that children are naturally curious and eager to learn. This is a critical period of time for our youngest learners and an opportunity for our schools to support and push the growth of their cognitive development. This is accomplished by marrying authentic and thoughtful project work in the natural sciences areas with foundational academic skills. Our learners deserve a quality preschool experience in a school learning community that values, enhances, promotes, and respects the intellectual and social-emotional growth of young children. 

Students ages 3-5 who have or may need an individualized education plan (IEP) are provided services within our preschool program.  The program begins serving identified children on their third birthday until they become kindergarten age along with typically developing peers.  There are community classrooms and communication skills classroom within the preschool program.  Students in the communication skills classroom have an intense level of need and are provided very specific training to develop communication skills and appropriate behaviors so they can begin to function in the educational environment.  Preschool also offers speech only services.  Preschool classrooms are located at BSE, HRE, and SCE. 

Private or Homeschool

Hamilton Southeastern Schools supports and makes special education and related services available to all students identified with special needs within the corporation’s geographic boundaries--including students who attend a private school or home school located within our boundaries. However, both federal and state special education law permit the school to offer a level of special education and related services that is less than what the student would receive if attending the local public school.

Resource Support

Resource services are designed to support the students within the general education curriculum and environment.  Students identified with special needs are supported by special education staff in the general education classroom.  Inclusion services are provided in all buildings.  In addition, services might be provided within the special education setting when specific instruction is needed to remediate and/or provide a “double dose” of academic instruction that is focused on the student’s goals and their instructional level. Resource services are provided in all buildings.      

Functional Academics Program

The Functional Academics Program (F.A.P.) may be an appropriate placement for students identified as having cognitive deficits or significant academic delays preventing their ability to make progress within the general education curriculum.  Students within the Functional Academics Program receive specific instruction in the core academic areas as well as social skills training and behavior management. These students are integrated into the general education environment where appropriate.  F.A.P. classrooms are located at CRE, FES, SCE, SCI, RSI, RJH, HIJH, FHS, and HSEHS. 

Life Skills Program

Students who are identified as having cognitive deficits and have significant communication and self-help needs may be appropriate for the Life Skills program, which includes the Communication and Foundations for Learning program.  There is an academic component to this program as well as time spent on communication skills and on learning how to function in society.  Academic skills taught are those vital to being able to be independent later in life.  There are some opportunities to be integrated with general education peers and this is determined on an individual basis.  Life Skills classrooms are located at GES, NBE, RSI, RJH, FHS, and HSEHS. 

Functional Independence and Transitional Skills

Students who are non-verbal or who have extremely limited modes of communication and in need of developing a form of communication and self-help skills may be appropriate for the FIATS classroom at the K – 4 level.  The program focuses on methods of communication and the development of independent communication.  Much of the day is spent in therapy and working on the most basic and academic skills.  The FIATS classroom is located at DCE, RSI, and HSEHS. 

Foundations of Characteristics Unique to Success

Students identified within special education that demonstrate significant emotional and/or behavioral concerns and are not able to be successful in the resource program despite the supports and services provided may be appropriate for the FOCUS program.  This program is unique in that it services students with a wide range of needs.  The program is focused on mastery of academic and social state standards.  The FOCUS program structure is based on a level system addressing both academics and behavioral needs of students. As a result, students participating in the FOCUS program have the ability to receive instruction within the general education classroom, FOCUS classroom, and/or a combination of both.  FOCUS classrooms are located at FCE, HPE, FCI, SCI, FJH, FCJH, FHS, and HSEHS.  

In addition, the FOCUS Day Program is a separate day program designed to meet the needs of students with emotional and behavioral difficulties that need more structure and a smaller teacher-to-student ratio to meet success within an academic environment.  The curriculum is aligned to the state standards.  Academic, character development, emotional management strategies, and social skills are incorporated into the day. Placement within FOCUS Day Program is a case conference committee decision based on the student's individual academic and behavioral needs which demonstrates the need for a more restrictive placement. 

Transition to Adult Programs

Our various transition programs are offered to students who have completed 40 units toward their certificate of completion but would benefit from a structured environment with support from teachers and job coaches with the transition to employment and volunteer opportunities.

Adult Roles - A student is appropriate for this program when they have maximized their skills in the traditional classroom setting but would still benefit from being in a structured adult setting. This program focuses on vocational, recreation and leisure, community based, and life skills. The decision for placement is recommended by the teacher and decided by the CCC.

The Studio - A student is appropriate for this program when they have maximized their skills in the traditional classroom setting but would still benefit from being in a structured vocational based program. Although strengthening vocational skills is the primary focus of this program independent living and community skills. The decision for placement is recommended by the teacher and decided by the CCC.

Community-Based Employment - A student is ready for (volunteer or paid) community-based employment after they independently participate in classroom and in-school jobs with minimum non-disruptive behaviors and is recommended by TOR.

The purpose of this program is to help the students gain employment skills, work independently outside of the school setting and become more financially independent. The students will work with a job coach to apply, interview and train for their job. Once the student becomes independent the job coach will fade out and the student will maintain the job.

VOCAL - A student is appropriate for this program once they have been successfully employed, working independently and able to navigate within certain parameters of the community independently.

The purpose of this program is to help the student transition from high school to an independent full work week. The students independently work or volunteer within the community during the time they attend the program. The students use public, school and personal means of transportation to and from the workplace.

Resources

Curricular Resources

Students receiving IEP services through our resource/FOCUS/Speech and Language programming will be provided curriculum from their general education teachers. (See Teaching and Learning Curricular Resources)

Students in our Functional Academics Program, Lifeskills, FIATS, CFL and Transition programs are working on alternate state standards (content connector standards).

IDOE Content Connectors

The following is a list of the main curriculum used in our various classes to support the achievement of those standards: (individual students may need different strategies or programs which we provide on an as needed basis.)

Encore (K-8)
Teachtown (K-6)
Reading A-Z (K-6)
Unique Learning Systems (5-6 and Transition)
News 2 You (5-12+)
Readtopia (7-12)
IXL (5-12)
Attainment (9-12 social studies/science/digital media/nutrition/consumer economics)
Equals (9-12)
Teachtown Transition to Adulthood (12+)

Equitable Practices

Least Restrictive Environment

One of the hallmarks of a free appropriate public education is that special education and related services be provided in an environment that least restricts the student’s opportunity to interact with non-disabled peers. LRE is often explained as two distinct, yet clearly related concepts: the actual setting in which a student with a disability receives special education and related services and a philosophy that a student with a disability should, to the maximum extent appropriate for that student, be educated with his or her non-disabled peers. Both the Cooperative and Hamilton Southeastern Schools support and provide a full continuum of placement options in the least restrictive environment.

Indiana DOE Notice of Procedural Safeguards

Organizational Partners

HSE partners with many organizations to create awareness and inclusivity for our students. The following are examples of partnerships and programs we have:

Best / Peer Buddies

Unified Track and Field

Joseph Maley Foundation

Local Businesses

Family Resources

Legal Guidelines

Special education services are required and described by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which was reauthorized in 2004. On the state level, special education services are governed by the Indiana Administrative Code, commonly referred to as “Article 7” was reauthorized in August 2008. The cornerstone of both federal and state law is that each student with a disability is entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). This means that special education and related services are to be provided to students with disabilities at no cost to the parent, in conformity with an individualized education program (IEP) that complies with federal and state requirements, in the least restrictive environment (LRE) and in such a manner that provides the student with equal opportunity to participate in services and activities that are available to all students.

Procedural Safeguards

General Family Resources

Resources to get you started on your Executive Skills journey:

Cognitive Connections (Sarah Ward information mentioned on the podcast)
Dr. Peg Dawson (also mentioned on the podcast)
Smart but Scattered Books:
- Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary “Executive Skills” Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential
- The Smart but Scattered Guide to Success
- The Work-Smart Academic Planner, Revised Edition Smart but Scattered—and Stalled
- Smart but Scattered Teens: The “Executive Skills” Program for Helping Teens Reach Their Potential
- Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents
- Coaching Students with Executive Skills Deficits

Smart but Scattered Executive Functioning Questionnaire

For the User ID: create own ID: it can be any combination of numbers or letters.

Additional Resources:

Autism Resources:

Resources for Occupational Therapy and fine motor skills:

American Occupational Therapy Organization

Behavioral Supports:

Speech and Language Support:

Suspect A Disability?

HSE Schools Child Find procedure:

If your child is age 2 ½ through 21, attends any school within the Hamilton Southeastern Schools boundaries or you live in our community and you suspect your child may have a disability, you should contact us for more information.

For children at least two and a half years of age, but not yet age-eligible for kindergarten, you should contact the Preschool Coordinator at Brooks School Elementary 317-915-4256.
For students who are eligible for kindergarten through age 21, you should contact your child’s teacher, school counselor or building administrator to discuss your concerns and explore the steps to be taken. If your child is not enrolled in public school, you should contact the counselor or building administrator in the building your child would attend if enrolled.

Learn About Multi-Tiered Support Systems