Special Education Programs & Services
Cascade Program
The Cascade Program is a transitional, center-based program that consists of strength-based therapeutic classrooms dedicated to students who benefit from behavioral supports due to emotional stressors. Within a supportive and collaborative environment, the goal is to equip students with positive coping and behavioral skills so they will succeed academically, in the community and in the workplace.
Using Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as well as Re-Ed principles, students are provided specially designed instruction in the areas of social, emotional and/or behavioral skills that facilitates reintegration in to their home school communities. Cascade classrooms include increased staffing as well as a part time social worker, who together with the Cascade teacher instructs group during Behavior Self-Management class.
The Cascade Programs are currently located at Ardmore Elementary, Woodridge Elementary, Tillicum Middle School, Bellevue High School, and Sammamish High School.
Please contact the Special Education Department for more information: 425-456-4144
Evergreen Transition Program
Formerly known as the Transition Services Program, the Evergreen Transition Program (ETP) is a community-based program serving young adults with disabilities, ages 18-21. ETP is located on Interlake High School campus. ETP Students have not yet received their diplomas, though they most likely have participated in their high school graduation ceremony.
Student schedules are individualized and planned by the student, family, and school IEP team. Students in their 3rd year, who are found DDA eligible, participate in the King County’s School-To-Work Program. This program helps students gain supported employment upon graduation (and with DDA funding, keep those supported employment services).
Olympic Program
The Olympic Program is designed to meet the educational needs of students who have significant deficits in the areas of organizational skills, executive functioning skills, and social competency skills that are often associated with autism spectrum disorder. The students in this program are functioning in the low-average to high-average range of intellectual ability.
Using evidence-based practices, the goal is to provide instruction, opportunities for application, knowledge, training and support to maximize independence and enhance students’ opportunities to achieve their full potential. Specially-designed instruction targets goals in the specific qualifying areas as described in each student’s special education evaluation including all academic areas of need. Related services are provided for students who qualify in the areas of motor (OT/PT) and communication (SLP). Students may also need support in the mental health areas of anxiety and depression.
In addition to these special education services, students spend a portion of their day in general education classrooms.
Please contact the Special Education Department for more information: 425-456-4144
PACIFIC Program
The PACIFIC program is designed to meet the educational needs of students who have significant developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Using evidence-based practices, the goal is to provide instruction in functional skills, opportunities for application, and support to maximize independence and enhance students’ opportunities to achieve their full potential and to live as independently as possible as contributing members of society. The program is designed to provide specially-designed instruction to target goals and objectives in the specific qualifying areas as described in each student’s special education evaluation. Specially-designed instruction addresses the development of skills in the areas of functional academics, adaptive, behavior, social skills, pre-vocational and independent living. Related services are provided for students who qualify in the areas of motor (OT/PT) and communication (SLP), and vision and hearing.
Please contact the Special Education Department for more information: 425-456-4144
Preschool Age Learning (PALS)
Special education preschool-age programs provide children with special needs, ages three to five (birthday after August 31st), with early intervention services. Program and service options are dependent on each student’s individual needs, as identified in the evaluation and IEP. Options include, but are not limited to, speech/language and or/motor services, itinerant direct and/or consultation services, and specially-designed instruction for cognitive, social and/or adaptive skills.
Resource Program
The Resource Program is designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities who are eligible for special education services.
Research-based, specially designed instruction, delivered in an individualized or smaller group format, targets goals in the specific qualifying areas as described in each student’s special education evaluation. Related services are provided for students who qualify in the areas of motor (OT/PT) and communication (SLP). Students participate within the general education curriculum to the extent possible as determined by the student’s IEP.
The resource program is available in all schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels.