District Contacts

Jeff Weiss, Director

jweiss@brentwood.k12.ca.us

Phone: 925-513-6317

Fax: 925-513-8634

Anna Foster, Secretary

afoster@brentwood.k12.ca.us

Phone: 925-513-6318

Fax: 925-513-8634

Julie Pattee, Secretary

jpattee @brentwood.k12.ca.us

Phone: 925-513-6317

Fax: 925-513-8634

Mark Baldwin, Program Specialist (Adams, Ron Nunn, Krey, Garin)

mbaldwin@brentwood.k12.ca.us

Phone: 925-513-6300 ext 2273

Fax: 925-513-8634

Matthew Jensen, Program Specialist (Preschool, Loma Vista Elementary, County Placements)

mjensen@brentwood.k12.ca.us

Phone: 925-513-6300 ext 3076

Fax: 925-513-8634

Brooke Gettig, Program Specialist (Bristow, Mary Casey Black, Brentwood Elementary, Out of District Placements)

bgettig @brentwood.k12.ca.us

Phone: 925-513-6300 ext 2250

Fax: 925-513-8634

Joycelynn Evans, Program Specialist (Edna Hill, Marsh Creek, Pioneer, Garin P2 and P4)

jevans@brentwood.k12.ca.us

Phone: 925-513-6300 ext 2283

Fax: 925-513-8634

Referral, Assessment and Placement

Identifying Students for Special Education is Complicated

The special education process starts with a referral for special education evaluation. This may or may not result in identification and eligibility.

Identification

School personnel have a responsibility to identify children who have exceptional needs and refer them for assessment. Teachers and parents are encouraged to join in the identification and referral to the local school staff for assessment. Parents questioning their child's progress, either developmentally or academically, should first request a conference with the teacher. After this conference the parent and teacher may decide to bring the child to the attention of the Student Study Team.

Student Study Team

The Student Study Team (SST) is a school site team which reviews an individual student's strengths and areas of concern. The SST is a function of the general education system and can assist any student. The SST plans strategies and organizes resources for addressing problems and concerns about a student. The SST may suggest modifications to the student's program and/or refer the student for a special education assessment.

Referral

If the SST has tried multiple interventions with fidelity over time, a referral for special education evaluation may be made. Teachers and parents are always encouraged to use the SST process as a first step when they have a concern. Students may be referred for a special education assessment by the SST or by parents, teachers, counselors, principals, school nurses or other persons who have an interest in the child's welfare. The referral indicates the suspected area(s) of disability, provides school history and documents the interventions and modifications that have been tried and proven unsuccessful prior to asking for assessment. Receipt by the school of the referral officially begins the special education time line. An assessment plan will be developed and the family contacted within fifteen (15) days. This plan will outline the areas of suspected disability and the professionals who will be testing and evaluating those areas to see if the student meets the criteria for one of the federal disability categories.

Assessment

A school representative will contact the parent/guardian and:

Review the reasons for assessment.
Describe the materials and procedures which will be used to obtain information about the child.
Explain the rights of the parent/guardian and school district related to assessment.
Determine the student's primary language and proficiency.
Describe alternate means as appropriate.
Obtain written consent for release of confidential information

Arrangements will be made to have the child's needs evaluated. This will be done through testing and conferences held among those who have worked with the child's teachers, nurses, counselors, therapists, psychologists and others. Written consent and participation will be needed, and evaluation results will be shared with you. This evaluation has three major purposes:

To assess needs and gather information about the student.
To determine eligibility for special education programs and services.
To recommend the appropriate special education programs and/or related services for the student or other program modifications.

Placement

Is determined by the IEP team at the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting based on the classroom environment that allows the child to make progress on IEP goals. Service may be provided for children from birth to age twenty-one.