Special Services
Platte County School District

Current Address:

900 Pirate Drive
Platte City, Missouri 64079
School Hours: 7:55 a.m. - 2:55 p.m.

816-858-7001

FAX# 816-858-7421

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OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION

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Special Services Support Staff 08-09

PCR-3 offers a range of Special Education Services based on an individual's need.
Special education and related services are available to resident children attending public, private and parochial schools who are identified as being educationally disabled in any of the following areas:
Specific learning disabilities
Emotional disturbance
MR/ Intellectual Disability
Speech or language impairment
Orthopedic impairment
Other health impairments
Autism
Visual impairment/blind
Hearing impairment and deafness
Deaf/blindness
Traumatic brain injury
Young child with a developmental delay
Multiple disabilities

Special education and related services are offered to eligible students starting on their third birthday and continuing to age 21. Services are provided within the local district, through State School Programs for Severely Disabled, by contractual agreement with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education-approved not-for-profit agencies, or purchase of services from neighboring school districts.

For program information choose from the following:

Special Sevices Programs

Parents as Teachers


First Steps
First Steps is a program provided by the state of Missouri to help families of children with disabilities understand their child's special needs, obtain the help they desire, and provide the best conditions for their child's growth and development.

Children who are eligible for these early intervention services are aged birth to 36 months and fall into one of the following two categories:A child who has been diagnosed with a condition that includes disabilities or that can lead to disabilities (for example, a low birth weight child who has experienced intracranial bleeds or asphyxiation, Down syndrome, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, etc.).A child whose development is at half the level of a normally developing child in one or more of the following areas: cognitive, communication, adaptive, physical (including vision and hearing), and social/emotional development. First Steps services are provided through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, not the Park Hill School District. For more information, call toll free: 1-866-583-2392.

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EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION

Children 3 – 5 years of age who show significant delays in cognitive, adaptive, social/emotional, communication or physical skills may qualify for the program.  The preschool is offered at no cost by the district, and transportation is provided.  Classes are staffed by certified teachers and paraprofessionals and meet on a half day basis, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday,  and  Friday.  For more information on these services, contact 816-858-7001.

ECSE offers children with developmental delays the chance to reach their potential in the important early years of childhood, giving them a jump start on the rest of their education. Funded by the state of Missouri, this progarm is a no-cost program for families of eligible children who are three to five years old. The state defines eligibility, and the Park Hill School District provides special education services, such as early childhood special education instruction, speech, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

In order to be eligible, the child’s development must:
• be at or below 1.5 standard deviations or equivalent levels, of the mean in any two areas of development, or
• at or below 2.0 standard deviations or equivalent levels in one area of development, and
• the child must need special education and/or related services
(Areas of development that can be used to determine eligibility include physical, cognitive, communication, social/emotional and/or adaptive.)

Whenever possible and appropriate, services are provided in the environment where the child typically spends his or her day (daycare, Head Start, etc.), but some children may require services that are provided in a group setting primarily designed for children with disabilities. Services may be provided to children on a one-on-one basis, in small groups, or in a classroom setting. ECSE teachers work with regular education teachers, paraprofessionals and caregivers in addressing the child's special education needs. Services cannot be provided at a childcare or preschool program that is affiliated with a religious organization.

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Elementary School

The elementary special education program serves students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade.   Self-contained programs, resource classes and class-within-a-class programs are offered in the elementary setting. Self-contained classes provide individualized instruction in all academic areas. Students in these classes spend 61 percent or more of their day with a special education teacher.   Resource classes can provide support for instruction that has occurred in the regular education classroom, or direct instruction can be provided in the student's area of specific weakness.   Class-within-a-class programs provide support for students within the regular classroom. A special education teacher works cooperatively with the classroom teacher in a variety of ways to maximize the abilities of students in the regular classroom.

Middle School
The middle school special education student has access to a continuum of special services, like all special needs students in the district. Both PCMS and Barry Middle offer placements from self-contained to itinerant.

Class Within A Class (CWC)
This is a program in which the special education teacher is in the core curriculum class with the regular education teacher. It is designed so that the special education teacher can teach with the regular education teacher and be there to meet the needs of all students in the class. This can be on a daily, alternating or rotating basis, depending upon the needs of the individual student.

Resource Classroom
This is a class taught by a special education teacher to specifically meet the goals and objectives of the student’s IEP. This can address educational needs as well as behavioral needs. The amount of time a student needs in the resource classroom is determined by the IEP team.

Combination of CWC, Strategies and Resource
Any combination of these services can be used to meet the individual needs of the students.

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High School
A full continuum of special education services is available to meet the needs of high school students with all categories of disabilities. Additional services are also available through cooperative work study and vocational preparation through the Northland Career Center.

Modified Regular Education/Class Within a Class
Students with disabilities are scheduled into a team-taught class with a regular class teacher and a special education teacher. The special education teacher’s role is to provide classroom modifications, which allow students to be successful in a regular class setting. Class-within-a-class options are available in most core academic classes.

Resource/Cross-Categorical/Self-Contained
Resource, cross-categorical and self-contained classrooms are available for the special needs student who needs a more restrictive learning environment; class sizes are small with one teacher providing more individualized learning opportunities for the student. Descriptions of classes are listed below.

Communication Arts
This class provides functional reading and writing skill instruction. Students are provided an opportunity to read instructionally appropriate materials that enhance and strengthen their skills. Writing skills instruction focuses on writing for vocational purposes, as well as basic communication.

Reading
This class focuses on improving decoding and comprehension skills. Students work to improve accuracy, rate of reading and overall comprehension.

Basic Math Operations
This class focuses on providing appropriate instruction in basic mathematical operations. Skills such as budgeting, managing a checking account, instruction in counting money, practicing measurement skills, and learning about time are included.

General Science
Earth Science, Biological Science and Physical Science are offered on a yearly/rotating basis. Instruction focuses on major concepts and their applications to daily living. Active learning including labs and individual projects is emphasized.

Social Studies
American History, World History, Economics/Government and Geography are offered on a yearly rotating basis. Instruction focuses on key concepts of these content areas. Students are provided an opportunity to learn how to apply these concepts to daily living and to transition to adult living.

Lifeskills
This class parallels the general education courses, but provides instructionally appropriate readings and written projects. Students are instructed in content that provides information pertinent to making choices and living a healthy life style. This information is important to students as they transition from school to the adult world.

Adaptive PE
A physical education teacher provides Physical Education instruction with the supportive/consultative services of an occupational therapist and/or physical therapist as needed. Emphasis is placed on instruction in basic locomotion skills, lifelong recreation and leisure activities, and social skills.

Independent Living Skills
This course prepares students for living independently after high school. Emphasis is placed on skills such as budgeting, locating and renting an apartment or house, obtaining loans/credit, and utilizing community resources. Pre-vocational skills are also included. This provides the student an opportunity to develop skills necessary to make an informed decision regarding vocational opportunities. Skills necessary to obtain and successfully hold a job are practiced.

Transitional Living Skills
This course is primarily designed for students with mild to moderate mental disabilities. This course focuses on skills needed to function in daily adult life. Hands-on activities such as cleaning, sewing, simple cooking, clothing care, simple tool use and problem solving are utilized to develop skills needed to transition to independent living.

Functional Skills
This course is designed for students with moderate mental disabilities. Functional living skills classes focus on improving functional reading, writing and math skills as they apply to daily life. Hands-on activities will include workshop simulation.

Special Education Co-Op Work/Study
This is a program operated jointly by the school district and Vocational Rehabilitation. Special Education students determined eligible by Vocational Rehabilitation criteria may receive credit for vocational training and employment. Vocational counseling, on the job training, and vocational evaluation are available to eligible students.

Vocational Training at the Northland Career Center
The Northland Career Center offers both morning and afternoon sessions in vocational training. Classes are paid for by the district. Transportation is provided. Student selection for the Northland Career Center is based on successful completion of prerequisites, good school attendance and an interest in career and technical education. Coursework is offered in business technology, computer maintenance, electronics, culinary arts, industrial welding, health sciences, mechanics, building trades, and heating and air conditioning.

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Platte City Day School - Base Program
The Platte City Day School is a day treatment program designed to assist students in learning to be accountable for their own actions and choices. Guidance is provided to students through the use of group and individual therapy. Students are provided services by special education teachers, a social worker, and a counselor.

State School
There are three State School facilities that serve students with disabilities — Missouri School for the Blind in St. Louis, Missouri School for the Deaf in Fulton, and the MO Schools for the Severely Disabled. Placement at a State School facility is determined by the IEP team after gathering extensive data regarding the student’s functioning levels and progress in the current education setting. However, eligibility for such a placement is determined by Missouri Elementary and Secondary Education personnel.

Students from Platte County R-3 School District that are eligible for services from the MO Schools for the Severly Disabled attend classes at Maple Valley State School on the Campus of Maple Woods Community College. These students are included and participate in classes at their home school as determined by the IEP Team. These students also receive many opportunities to participate in community-based activities.

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GIFTED EDUCATION

The Delta program is open to students in grades K – 8 who meet or exceed the entrance criteria.  Requirements are based on scores from District and Statewide Achievement tests, advanced scoring on the GATES and SAGES testing, and a Full Scale IQ of 130 on Nationally Recognized IQ tests.  For more information on these services, please contact 816-858-7001.

The Platte County R-3 School District has several special programs designed to challenge students who are academically gifted and help them develop their talents. Gifted programs teach students about critical thinking, logic, creativity and problem-solving.
At the elementary level, the gifted program is a pull-out class called Delta. At the middle school, students attend Delta classes in their own school. At the high school level, students have opportunities to take advanced placement and honors-level classes.

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START Program

The START Program is a self-paced educational program geared toward Juniors and Seniors who have experienced difficulties in the traditional classroom setting. The software-based program allows for credit recovery, as well as aid with study skills, to help ensure the success of every student.

Pirate University

The Platte County R-3 Schools recognizes that no one can be completely prepared for the trials and tribulations of every stage of parenthood.

Pirate University Sessions are designed to provide added support to parents, the community and our schools.  Sessions are offered several times throughout the school year and are a collaboration between district counselors, social workers, parents and community experts.   In the 2008-2009 school year, Pirate University will address the following topics:

• Healthy Families Make the Grade - October 21, 2008
• No Place for Bullies! - November 18, 2008
• Parenting with Love & Logic - February 17, 24, March 3, 10, 2009
• Personal Safety - April 21, 2009

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Parent Information

The following tips and website addresses are provided to assist parents.