LEZLEY HOLMES
Director, Special Education & Support Services
(916) 630-2232
Special Education
The Rocklin Unified School District's (RUSD) Special Education Department provides exceptional educational services that empower students with disabilities to reach their full potential. They uphold values of inclusivity, equity, and collaboration, recognizing that every student deserves access to quality education tailored to their unique strengths and challenges. The Special Education Department is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment where every student feels valued and supported. They strive to eliminate barriers to learning and promote a culture of acceptance and understanding among students, staff, and the wider community.
The department offers services tailored to meet the individualized needs of students with disabilities. These services may include:
- Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): Each student eligible for special education services receives a personalized IEP outlining their specific goals, accommodations, and support services. These plans are developed collaboratively by parents, educators, and specialists to ensure a comprehensive and effective approach to learning.
- Specialized Instruction: Qualified special education teachers provide instruction tailored to the learning styles and needs of students with disabilities. This may involve small group instruction, modified curriculum materials, or assistive technology tools to facilitate learning.
- Related Services: In addition to academic support, the department offers related services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, and behavioral interventions to address the holistic needs of students.
- Transition Services: For students nearing graduation, the department assists in transitioning to post-secondary education, vocational training, or employment opportunities, equipping them with the skills and resources necessary for a successful transition to adulthood.
- Parent and Community Collaboration: The Special Education Department recognizes the importance of involving parents and the broader community in the educational journey of students with disabilities. They provide resources, workshops, and opportunities for collaboration to ensure that families are informed and empowered advocates for their children.
Parent Resources
- RUSD Special Education Parent Handbook
- Notice of Procedural Safeguards (California Department of Education) - English
- Available Translations of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards
Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA)
Each school district in Placer County belongs to the SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area) organization. As required by law, districts join together to provide services to meet the special education needs of all children living within the area. Because some programs and services are very specialized, planning together makes sense.
The SELPA is important in distributing special education funding to districts and training special educators. The SELPA employs program specialists who can assist parents and staff with information, referrals, and support in navigating the special education process. The SELPA Program Specialists assigned to the Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) are Kristi Gregersen (PreK through 7th grade) and Laura Blackburn (8th grade through Transition).
The SELPA values community involvement and has a dedicated parent advisory group. This group, known as the Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC), comprises a representative from each district. They meet monthly during the school year to discuss and address issues directly impacting students and families, making their role pivotal in shaping the special education landscape.
Click here for more information about the Placer County SELPA.
SELPA Community Action Committee (CAC)
Families are important educational partners in developing and providing quality services to students with special education needs. In Placer County, the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is a parent group active in this mission.
Click here for more information and to review the CAC Meeting Schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have a problem. Who should I contact?
Contact your student's special education teacher, site principal, or assistant principal. If you cannot resolve the issue, the district program specialists can assist you. You are also welcome to contact our Director of Special Education and Special Programs at (916) 630-2232.
Contact your student's special education teacher, site principal, or assistant principal. If you cannot resolve the issue, the district program specialists can assist you. You are also welcome to contact our Director of Special Education and Special Programs at (916) 630-2232.
My child is struggling with reading. I am concerned that my child is not up to standard. I have been asked to attend a Student Study Team (SST) Meeting. What is this meeting, and what will happen during the meeting to assist my child?
A referral to a Student Study Team brings together the parents/guardian(s), teacher, administrator/counselor, and other professionals at school to look at the student as a unique individual. The Student Study Team may address learning needs, social concerns, health issues, or other factors affecting the student's school success. The meeting will address the student's strengths, known information, and concern areas, identify appropriate actions that the school or family will take, outline needed accommodations/modifications, and who is responsible for each item. A follow-up Student Study Team may be scheduled to address the student's progress and need for further supports.
A referral to a Student Study Team brings together the parents/guardian(s), teacher, administrator/counselor, and other professionals at school to look at the student as a unique individual. The Student Study Team may address learning needs, social concerns, health issues, or other factors affecting the student's school success. The meeting will address the student's strengths, known information, and concern areas, identify appropriate actions that the school or family will take, outline needed accommodations/modifications, and who is responsible for each item. A follow-up Student Study Team may be scheduled to address the student's progress and need for further supports.
My child is not doing well in school. How do I refer my child for special education?
You, or the teacher, may refer your child to the school's Student Study Team to consider the request for an assessment for special education eligibility. Part of the responsibility of the Student Study Team (SST) is to document the modifications and interventions that have been attempted in the general education setting and to suggest other steps that may be taken to meet the student’s needs in the regular education program. The SST (composed of the parent/guardian, teacher, principal, counselor, or other staff who has an interest in the child) will consider your request and, if appropriate, develop an assessment plan to identify the child's needs. Sometimes, parents/guardians submit a written request for special education assessment to the principal or other administrator. The school must consider this request within 15 days and either develop an assessment plan for parent/guardian approval or respond if the request is inappropriate. In Rocklin Unified, an SST meeting would be scheduled to consider the request to meet the legal requirement that general education supports be utilized as appropriate before special education is considered.
You, or the teacher, may refer your child to the school's Student Study Team to consider the request for an assessment for special education eligibility. Part of the responsibility of the Student Study Team (SST) is to document the modifications and interventions that have been attempted in the general education setting and to suggest other steps that may be taken to meet the student’s needs in the regular education program. The SST (composed of the parent/guardian, teacher, principal, counselor, or other staff who has an interest in the child) will consider your request and, if appropriate, develop an assessment plan to identify the child's needs. Sometimes, parents/guardians submit a written request for special education assessment to the principal or other administrator. The school must consider this request within 15 days and either develop an assessment plan for parent/guardian approval or respond if the request is inappropriate. In Rocklin Unified, an SST meeting would be scheduled to consider the request to meet the legal requirement that general education supports be utilized as appropriate before special education is considered.
How is eligibility for special education determined?
The school IEP (Individualized Education Plan) team makes this determination based on assessment information. The IEP team determines if the student has one of the fourteen disabilities specified by federal and state law and requires special education services and support. The IEP team weighs the question: Can this student's needs be addressed through regular education or are specialized support and services required? To answer this question, the team draws on information the parents/guardians provided, school history, specific assessments, and the student's response to regular education support. If the IEP team finds that the student is eligible, the team specifies the goals, services, instructional modifications, and accommodations in the IEP document.
The school IEP (Individualized Education Plan) team makes this determination based on assessment information. The IEP team determines if the student has one of the fourteen disabilities specified by federal and state law and requires special education services and support. The IEP team weighs the question: Can this student's needs be addressed through regular education or are specialized support and services required? To answer this question, the team draws on information the parents/guardians provided, school history, specific assessments, and the student's response to regular education support. If the IEP team finds that the student is eligible, the team specifies the goals, services, instructional modifications, and accommodations in the IEP document.
What if my special education student needs transportation? Who do I contact?
If a student requires specialized transportation due to his/her disability, it should be documented on the student's IEP, and the IEP team will complete a Transportation Request and Information Form. The teacher or Program Specialist will notify the Transportation Department if transportation is a required-related service as decided upon by the IEP team.
If a student requires specialized transportation due to his/her disability, it should be documented on the student's IEP, and the IEP team will complete a Transportation Request and Information Form. The teacher or Program Specialist will notify the Transportation Department if transportation is a required-related service as decided upon by the IEP team.
Note: that not all students receiving specialized transportation are transported curb-to-curb. Once a transportation request has been sent to the Transportation Department, the Transportation Department will call the parent/guardian with the bus stop location, pick-up time, and drop-off time. Please allow up to five days for new transportation requests. Each year, before the start of school, it is the parent's/guardian’s responsibility to fill out a new transportation form for any special needs a student may have. Parents/guardians must also contact the Transportation Department (624-9106) and provide a small picture of their student for the bus pass. Bus passes MUST be renewed on an annual basis. Cick here to the Transportation Department website to learn more.
My child has a current Individualized Education Plan (IEP). We are moving to Rocklin Unified School District. Who should we contact?
Rocklin Unified School District has implemented an Online New Student Registration process. If you are moving to Rocklin and your child has an active IEP, you still need to complete the online registration process.
Rocklin Unified School District has implemented an Online New Student Registration process. If you are moving to Rocklin and your child has an active IEP, you still need to complete the online registration process.
- You will register your child for your "Residence School" based on your new home address using the School Locator link, if needed.
- While registering online, you will be asked if your child currently receives special education services, and you will be instructed to upload a copy of the current IEP. (If you have copies of recent assessments, please also upload these.)
- The residence school will review the IEP, and if that school does not offer the services your child needs, they will forward the information to a district program specialist to determine appropriate placement and contact you to discuss the specifics.
My child is a 6th-grade student going to middle school next year. What will happen? Will my student still get the same IEP services?
In the spring, before your student promotes to middle school, an Individual Educational Program (IEP) meeting will be arranged by your student's case carrier to address the transition. During this meeting, the student's current level of performance and goals and objectives will be reviewed to identify appropriate services for when your student goes to middle school. A representative from middle school would also attend the meeting to assist the IEP Team and to answer questions. Typically, students attend their home middle school if supports and services are available at that school.
In the spring, before your student promotes to middle school, an Individual Educational Program (IEP) meeting will be arranged by your student's case carrier to address the transition. During this meeting, the student's current level of performance and goals and objectives will be reviewed to identify appropriate services for when your student goes to middle school. A representative from middle school would also attend the meeting to assist the IEP Team and to answer questions. Typically, students attend their home middle school if supports and services are available at that school.
Does Rocklin Unified School District offer an extended school year for students with active IEPs (Individualized Education Plans)?
Rocklin Unified offers an extended school year if the IEP team determines that, due to the student's disability and needs, regression in performance will occur, requiring substantial time to recover the next school year. This is an IEP team decision-based on the individual needs of each student. Extended school year services are offered during the 18-day summer school session.
Rocklin Unified offers an extended school year if the IEP team determines that, due to the student's disability and needs, regression in performance will occur, requiring substantial time to recover the next school year. This is an IEP team decision-based on the individual needs of each student. Extended school year services are offered during the 18-day summer school session.