• Assessed as chemically dependent.
• Has been physically or sexually abused.
• Has experienced mental health problems.
• Homeless sometime in the last six months.
• Referred by a school district for enrollment in an eligible
nontraditional program.
• Excluded or expelled from school.
• Has withdrawn or is chronically truant.
For more information contact the principal of Anoka-Hennepin
Regional High School at 763-506-7400.
Special education services for early childhood
Children from birth though age five who have special needs may
be eligible for service through the Anoka-Hennepin Early Child-
hood Special Education (ECSE) programs. Students may meet
criteria in any of the 13 disability areas. All school districts in
the state have been mandated to offer educational service to
preschool age children (birth to age five) who demonstrate a
significant delay in their development. Children who appear to be
having difficulty in the areas of development such as communica-
tion, cognition, fine or gross motor, or social-emotional and adap-
tive skills may be eligible for services. Eligibility is determined
through an evaluation process that determines the range of the
child’s skills. If the child is found eligible, an Individualized Educa-
tional Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
would be developed with family input.
Services birth through age two:
Children below the age of three typically receive services in their
home or child care setting from a teacher, speech clinician, occu-
pational or physical therapist. An Individual Family Service Plan
(IFSP) is developed from the evaluation results and input from
the child’s family. Frequency and the amount of service vary
based on the child’s needs and the family schedule.
Services age three through age five:
For children over the age of three, a special educational classroom
setting or community preschool program is frequently recommended.
Contact information
Help Me Grow (Birth to Age Five Referral) – 1-866-693-4769
Anoka-Hennepin ECSE Office – 763-433-4800
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) - 763-506-1362.
Special education services for
kindergarten through 21
Special education services are provided for students from birth
to age 21 who have been evaluated and determined as meeting
one of the 13 disability categories identified by federal law.
• Developmental delays (birth to age seven).
• Autism spectrum disorders.
• Blind/visually impaired.
• Deaf-blind.
• Deaf and hard of hearing.
• Developmental cognitive disabilities mild-moderate.
16
• Developmental cognitive disabilities moderate-severe.
• Emotional or behavioral disorders.
• Other health disabilities.
• Physically impaired.
• Specific learning disabilities.
• Speech or language impairments.
• Traumatic brain injury.
The district offers a full continuum of services for students
identified as meeting special education criteria. An Individual
Education Planning (IEP) meeting is held following a special
education evaluation. District staff work with the student’s
parents/family to determine what goals and objectives are
appropriate to meet the child’s needs. The team determines
what specialized instruction is required and what related services
might be appropriate. Students who are identified as having spe-
ci al education needs will receive instruction from a special educa-
tion teacher. Some students may require additional support in the
area of motor, speech/language, vision or hearing needs.
Most students receive their instruction in their neighborhood
school. If a student requires intensive services to meet their
needs, they may be placed in a centerbase program. The district
has a number of elementary centerbase programs located at
sites throughout the district. Some students with very intensive
emotional or behavioral needs may be serviced at a special
education building.
If parents have a concern that their child is experiencing learning
difficulties or behavior issues at school they should contact their
child’s teacher or principal to discuss concerns. Typically the
building would bring the case to their Intervention Team to dis-
cuss the appropriateness of interventions and consideration of
an evaluation. Students served in private schools may also be
eligible for special education services. If you have a concern,
please notify the principal at your school.
What about parent support?
Parent support groups and parent training groups are offered to
families in the Anoka-Hennepin School District. Participation is
voluntary. These groups offer parents and families the opportunity
to meet other families with special needs children and discuss
issues that are important or unique to their child’s development.
Section 504
Some students who have a disability may not qualify as being in
need of special education services. These students may qualify
for support under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
which prohibits discrimination based upon disability. Section
504 is an anti-discrimination, civil rights statute that requires the
needs of students with disabilities to be met as adequately as
the needs of the non-disabled are met. If a student has a mental
or physical impairment that may be impacting him in the school
setting, parents should contact their child’s teacher or principal
regarding their concerns.
School-age care
Visit ahschools.us/adventuresplus to view the Adventures
Plus parent handbook, registration information and additional
resources for families.
2017-18 School Handbook