Skip to main content

Special Education

 

Your future is our passion, and we are committed to ensuring a high-quality, personalized education for every student.

Three young people smile for the camera while sitting on a bench at a sporting event.

Continuum of Services

NACS offers a full continuum of special education services for our students from ages 3 to 21. Special education includes specially designed instruction to meet a student’s unique disability-related needs, and related services to support a student’s access to their educational program. These services range from support for students placed in general education classroom settings, to self-contained & highly specialized programs for students whose educational needs require more intensive services and support.

 

View the District Profile

Special Education Programs

Northwest Allen County Schools offers a continuum of services for students with disabilities from Pre-K to 12th grade

Visual list of all special education programs. The district offers preschool, resource services at all buildings. Applied skills programming is available at select elementary and middle schools for students with more intense needs. RISE programming is available at select elementaries and middle schools for students with emotional needs that cannot be met in their home building. All programs are available at the high school level. The district also employs staff to support students who are deaf/hard of hearing, visually impaired, or need OT, PT and speech therapy services.

Two young boys play on a green and yellow playground slide.

Department Information

  • Headshot images of each special education administration team member

     

    Special Education Office: 260-637-7168

    NACS Administration Center: 260-637-3155

     

    Records, Enrollment, and General Inquiries:

    Lindsay Meyer, Student Data Specialist – Lindsay.Meyer@nacs.k12.in.us

     

    Early Childhood Preschool:

    Christine Parker, Early Childhood Supervisor – Christine.Parker@nacs.k12.in.us

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Requesting an Educational Evaluation
    At any time, you have the right to request an educational evaluation to determine if your child is in need of special education services. Please contact your child’s teacher, principal, or guidance counselor if you would like to request such an evaluation. If you request an educational evaluation, the school will consider the appropriateness of your request in light of your child’s educational needs and academic progress. The school has ten instructional days to notify you in writing regarding their decision as to whether or not to conduct the evaluation. If you have any questions in regard to this process, please contact your child’s principal for more information.

  • Is your child new to NACS? Does your child have an IEP?
    Please notify the building principal where your child will attend. Please also notify the Special Education Department at the NACS Administration Center by calling 260-637-7168.

     

    Do you have questions about where to send student records, or need records sent to a new school?

    Please contact Lindsay Meyer, Student Data Specialist at 260-637-7168 or Lindsay.Meyer@nacs.k12.in.us

  • Below are links to resources that assist in understanding the rights parents have pertaining to their child with a disability.

  • NACS offers early childhood special education services for our students between the ages of 3-5 with disabilities.

     

    Learn More About Preschool!

     

    Walk-in Speech and Language Services

    A child, between the ages of 3-5 and living within the NACS district, may be referred for a speech and language evaluation by their parent or by First Steps. If deemed appropriate, an evaluation will be conducted to determine if speech and language therapy is needed for the child to access his or her education.

    This service provides articulation and/or language therapy, to qualifying children, on a scheduled basis by a NACS Speech Language Pathologist. This service is for children demonstrating articulation substitutions and errors that are impacting their ability to be understood or communicate effectively with those around them, and/or for children who are unable to understand or use language to successfully express their wants and needs.

    A parent may contact the NACS Special Education Office at 260-637-7168 to inquire about this service.

     

    Preschool Classrooms with Special Education Support

    Children ages 3–5 who live within the NACS district may be referred for an evaluation by a parent or through First Steps to determine eligibility for preschool services with special education support. If an evaluation is completed, the team will assess your child’s development in five areas: communication, motor skills, cognitive skills, social-emotional skills, and adaptive (self-help) skills. A child may qualify for services if they demonstrate a significant delay in one area or moderate delays in two or more areas.

    If your child is eligible for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and their needs cannot be fully supported in a community preschool without specialized instruction and support, they may be recommended for NACS preschool programming. We support a range of needs in our preschool and value the opportunity for children with disabilities to recieve intense instruction, yet also have opportunities to learn alongside their nondisabled peers when appropriate. Children who qualify for special education services and have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) attend at no cost.

    Each classroom is led by a licensed special education teacher and supported by paraprofessional staff. We provide a structured, nurturing environment where children build skills in:

    • Communication
    • Social interaction with peers and adults
    • Self-help and daily routines
    • Positive learning behaviors
    • Early academic readiness

    If additional support is needed, services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy may also be provided through the child’s IEP.

    A parent may contact the NACS Special Education Office at 260-637-7168 to inquire about this service.

     

    FAQs - EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM

    Is there a cost to attend the preschool if my child has an IEP?

    Children with IEPs that need classroom-based services can attend our preschool free of charge. Children with speech- or language-only IEPs (meaning their only service is walk-in speech/language therapy) may attend our preschool, but are charged tuition for the school day. Their therapy services are provided outside of the preschool day. Teachers may request some school supplies and community snacks to be provided when attending the program.

    Is transportation provided?

    Transportation is provided to and from the preschool program on a bus, from within the district lines for students with classroom-based IEPs. Only preschool students ride this bus, and special safety harnesses approved for bus transportation are used to support the safety of our young students during transit.

    What days/times is preschool in session?

    The preschool offers a 3-hour AM or 3-hour PM session Monday through Thursday at Cedar Canyon Elementary and Perry Hill Elementary. The number of days, and the AM or PM session, is determined by the case conference committee based on the age and needs of the student.

    Can students without disabilities attend the preschool program at NACS?

    Yes! Children without disabiliites are encouraged to attend NACS for preschool. We have a limited number of tuition based slots available in the PM class for children who will be 4-years-old by August 1st (and are not yet kindergarten eligible). Tuition is required and charged on a monthly basis. Currently, transportation is the responsibility of the parent. Please learn more by visiting our NACS Preschool page.

    If your question hasn’t been answered or if you would like to learn more, please reach out to a member of our team. 

  • IDOE Annual Special Education Survey: The Indiana Department of Education asks families and parents to complete an annual survey after their child's Annual Case Review (ACR) to monitor how effectively schools support parent involvement in the special education process. Please find survey links and a letter describing the survey below.

    Please mail completed paper surveys to:
    IDOE – Office of Special Education: Monitoring & Compliance
    Government Center North, 9th floor
    100 N. Senate Ave.
    Indianapolis, IN 46204

    Scanned copies may be emailed to: osemonitoring@doe.in.gov  

    If you need assistance completing the survey, please contact the Indiana Office of Special Education at 317-232-0570.