Graduation Incentives, established by the state, allows
qualifying students to enroll in:
• Alternative programs.
• Area learning centers.
• Post secondary courses at a college, community college or
technical college, if eligible.
• Any public school.
• Adult Basic Education classes operated under Community Education.
A student ages 15-20 who meets any one of the following
criteria is eligible to choose a nontraditional education program:
• Limited English proficiency or speaks English as a second language.
• Substantially below performance on a local achievement test.
• At least one year behind in satisfactorily completing coursework.
• Pregnant or a parent.
• 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• Has withdrawn or is chronically truant.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.
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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.
• 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-
cial 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.
While the goal is to have students taught in their neighborhood
school, it is not always appropriate based on a student's individ-
ual needs. Students with specific needs may be placed in a pro-
gram that best addresses her/his needs. Academic, functional,
and behavioral needs addressed in these programs can vary,
and can operate in conjunction with general education, with in-
creased mainstreaming as the goal. Some students demon-
strate needs that surpass what can be offered at a traditional
school/site, and may be serviced at River Trail Learning Center,
which is a special education site.
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.
ahschools.us/policies 2019-20 School Handbook