Special education students and those who have other special
needs will be warmly received in the public schools. The DOE
provides a free appropriate public education for all students eligible to
receive special education from ages 3 to 20 in accordance with federal and
state laws.
Each state in the U.S. establishes its own standards to
determine if a child is eligible for special education and related
services.
To determine if your child is eligible for
special education and related services, a comprehensive evaluation, free of
charge to parents, is conducted by the district's Special Services
diagnostic team.
If your child meets the State of Hawaii
eligibility standards, Special Education personnel will be responsible for
the program and placement of your child into an appropriate
program.
Students entering Hawaii's public school system for the
first time who have been determined to be eligible for special education in
another state are eligible for an interim diagnostic placement in a special
education.
The interim diagnostic placement remains in effect while
the diagnostic evaluation to determine eligibility for special education
services in the State of Hawaii is being conducted.
To
qualify for an interim diagnostic placement, the student must have a current
Individualized Education Program (IEP) upon registration for school, or
documentation of current eligibility and related
services.
It is also helpful to provide any evaluation
documents, doctor reports or other tests that you may have.
All
public schools have special education programs. However, the
program which best serves your child's needs may not be at the "home
school." It is important that you have the appropriate documents
with you when you arrive in Hawaii. This will ensure a quick and
smooth implementation of special education services. Upon your
arrival in Hawaii, an interim IEP meeting will be arranged with appropriate
school personnel.
If you have other questions or concerns about
special education, contact the Exceptional Family Member Coordinator at the
Family Service Center.
Please refer to contacts for more
information.