Special Education
KIPP educates all students.
KIPP Northern California provides high quality services for educating students with disabilities to prepare them for a successful transition to a fulfilling adult life. We recognize the unique needs of each student and design individualized education programs that enable each student to fully participate in and benefit from their KIPP school community and the world at large.
KIPP Northern California recognizes the role of systemic racism, colonization, and racial trauma in the education system and strives to dismantle oppressive systems to create safe, inclusive, and student-centered learning environments for all students. Read more about equity & inclusion at KIPP.
Special education services are available at all KIPP schools throughout Northern California – elementary, middle, and high school.
Supports & Services
Services are based on student’s need (as determined by the IEP team):
- Specialized Academic Instruction
- Speech / Language Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Adapted Physical Education
- Mental Health Counseling
- Behavior / Psychological Services
- Career & College Awareness Services (for transition-aged students)
- Orientation & Mobility Services
- And more!
Special Education Team
We are a diverse team with unique training and backgrounds. We support each of the special education programs at each of the 17 schools throughout KIPP Northern California.
Our team includes:
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
- Mental Health Clinicians
- Occupational Therapists
- School Psychologists
- Speech & Language Pathologists
- Vision Teacher/Orientation
- and more!
Student Assessment
KIPP Northern California staff has a responsibility to identify children who may have special needs and/or a suspected disability, and refer them for assessments. General education accommodations or supports are suggested by the Student Study Team (comprised of the child’s parent(s), teachers, school administrator, and other appropriate school staff familiar with the child.) A referral for special education assessment to determine eligibility for special education services could be the next step.
The assessment of your child is a thorough process conducted by a team of specialists that will tell how your child is doing in all areas of the suspected disabilities.
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is the process that helps create an individualized plan that outlines the needs, services and support for a student. At least once a year your student’s case manager will contact you to set up an IEP meeting to review progress and develop new goals and objectives.
We encourage parents to be full, active and informed participants in the IEP process. Special education is like a foreign language that you will soon learn and speak fluently. But in the beginning, the process may feel daunting and confusing.
Our high expectations and high levels of support will lead to the most beneficial educational and broader real-world outcomes for our students.
Questions about Special Education at KIPP? Contact a KIPP school in your community.
Parent Resources
Additional information for parents to help with various needs you or your child may have.
Websites
- SELPA Parent Resources This website has been created by our SELPA for parents to give more information about the IEP process.
- Understood.org A website for parents that covers many different topics related to disabilities and special education.
- One Degree A nonprofit organization that allows families to find various community services, including health care, foodbanks, employment services, etc.
- Autism Speaks A nonprofit organization that supports individuals with Autism through research, resources, and various other community activities, including hosting an annual Autism Walk.
State and Local Agencies
- Regional Centers A state-funded agency for individuals with developmental disabilities. For more information, including where to find your local regional center.
- Parents Helping Parents A South Bay organization that offers parent trainings, support groups, and advocacy support.
- Support For Families of Children With Disabilities A parent-run San Francisco-based nonprofit organization founded in 1982. We support families of children with any kind of disability or special health care need as they face challenges.