Student Support Services

Clarkston Community Schools provides a comprehensive range of special education programs and services for students from birth to age 26. The Student Support Services Department includes a diverse team of professionals such as special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, social workers, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, and paraeducators. They prioritize ongoing collaboration with parents to create and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) for eligible students. The services also cover Section 504 plans and Early On interventions for residents of Clarkston Community Schools.

Helpful Links and Resources

What is Special Education?

Child Find

Procedural Safeguards & MDE Links

Determination of Specific Learning Disability

SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITY (SLD)

Each local education agency and public school academy in Michigan is required to publicly post the process used to determine the existence of a Specific Learning Disability.

Consistent with this requirement, Clarkston Community Schools reports the following:

For determinations of a SLD, a Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW) is used for students in kindergarten through 12th grade across all areas including: Oral Expression, Listening Comprehension, Written Expression, Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, Math Calculation, and Math Problem Solving.

It is noted that regardless of the process used, all schools must follow all of the regulatory requirements in the IDEA, the MARSE, and Michigan laws, policies and procedures for special education.

WHAT IS A SLD?

A Specific Learning Disability is "a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and development aphasia that adversely affects a student's educational performance. A SLD does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities; mental retardation; emotional disturbance; or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage." (34 CFR 300.8(c)(10)).

WHAT IS A PSW PROCESS?

Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses is a process that is used to determine if a student has a SLD. This process involves the collection of data to determine the following:

The student does not achieve adequately for the student's age or to meet State-approved grade-level standards in one or more of the areas identified at 34 CFR 300.309(a)(l)(i) when provided with learning experiences and instruction appropriate for the student's age or State-approved grade-level standards.

The student exhibits a pattern of strengths and weaknesses in performance, achievement, or both, relative to age, State-approved grade-level standards, or intellectual development, that is determined by the Multi-disciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) to be relevant to the identification of a SLD, using appropriate assessments, consistent with the IDEA Evaluation Procedures and Additional Requirements for Evaluations and Reevaluations.Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (2010).

Evaluations & Eligibility

A student must be evaluated for special education and determined eligible in order to receive special education programs and services.

A multidisciplinary evaluation team (MET) evaluates students for suspected disabilities. The MET includes specialists with knowledge of the suspected disabilities. The Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) outline the specialists needed for each suspected disability.

Evaluation Teams and Roles (MDE)

Initial Evaluation for Special Education (MDE)

Guidance for Timeline for Initial Evaluations

Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE - Updated June 21, 2021)

Center-Based Programs

Clarkston Community Schools works collaboratively with the Oakland Schools Special Populations Department and other districts within Oakland County when student needs are not able to be addressed through programming located in the district.

All programs for students with disabilities in Oakland County are designed and operated by local districts, including center programs for students with the most significant needs.

Decisions regarding placement of students is individualized. For questions regarding center-based programming options, contact the special education department at (248) 623-8080.

Parent Advisory Committee

The Clarkston Community Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Committee represents families with students receiving Special Education Services in partnership with CCS to empower each student to develop their highest potential through collaboration and communication.

PAC acts as a parent resource in collaboration with the CCS Student Support Services Department.
Solicits information from parents of students who receive special education services regarding needed areas of program development.
Participates in problem solving discussion with special education administrators for program improvement.
Provides information, expertise, representation and participation in an advisory capacity to the administration.

Link to PAC Page