Our Philosophy: Special Education

Quest Academy, like all public schools, provides special education services for students with disabilities.  These services are based on individual needs and determined by an Individual Education Plan (IEP) Team that includes the parent(s) of the student. All special education services are reviewed at least annually and provided at no cost to parents. Students must meet criteria for these services as defined by the Minnesota Department of Education. Special Education teachers divide their time between direct student support, observations and assessments, meetings, and office work. They assist students in small groups or individually—both within the general education classroom and, when advisable, in the special education office. If you think your child qualifies or your child already qualifies academically, behaviorally, or socially, please contact the Special Education staff at Quest Academy to set up a Child Study team meeting to discuss interventions within the regular classroom.

Due to the high percentage of identified special education students, Quest Academy has adopted a model of co-teaching in all classrooms and subjects to best meet the needs of its population. 

There is a credible body of research showing the positive effects of co-teaching to positively affect academic achievement for SPED populations, ESL students and other groups (Abdallah, 2010; Dieker, 2009) Regular education instructors are paired with highly qualified paraprofessionals (most are licensed teachers themselves) to minimize disruptions, keep the flow of instruction going and keep students on task for learning. 

Students are evaluated using the process dictated by federal and state law.  A Child Study Team meeting is initiated by a teacher, parent, or other person concerned about the student.  At that meeting, interventions are planned.  If, after a 4-6 week period, the planned and documented interventions do not make a significant change in the student's growth, the Child Study Team can decide to assess the child for special education services.  An evaluation planning meeting is held with the parent(s) and an evaluation plan is decided.  Once the evaluation is complete, the parent(s) meet with the school staff again and determine if the student has a disability and needs special education services.  IEP’s (Individualized Education Plans) are developed after a student qualifies for special education services and are reviewed and revised at least annually. 

Each student's special education services are individualized and most special education services are provided within the regular classroom by either a special education teacher, regular education teacher or paraprofessional.  Student behavior and discipline is discussed at the annual IEP meeting.  If a student who receives special education services is suspended, a parent meeting is held and his IEP is reviewed to see if it is appropriate.

When a student with an IEP enrolls at Quest Academy, the Special Education Coordinator contacts the student's past school and has the current IEP and latest Evaluation Report sent to the school.  Once Quest has the paperwork, a meeting is held with the parents to determine if the IEP is appropriate and if changes need to be made.  Each student on an IEP is assigned a Case Manager who works closely with regular education teachers, the student and parents to make sure that the appropriate services are in place and that the student is making progress as expected. 

The State of Minnesota has procedures in place to handle parent disputes and complaints.  Our goal is to work with the parents so we can, together, provide the best special education services for students at Quest Academy.  We prefer to work together with parents to settle disputes, rather than go through the state department of education process.