Special Education Programs

Monroe Public Schools is committed to providing a free and appropriate education to all special education students ages 0-25 in the least restrictive environment.  In partnership with the Monroe County Intermediate School District, Monroe Public Schools provides a wide range of programs and services designed to assist special education students toward the goal of reaching his/her maximum educational potential.
Parents play a valuable role in planning and carrying out their child's educational program. We hope that you will work with us to provide a meaningful educational experience for your child.

The following special education programs and services are available to students in Monroe Public Schools:

District Process for Determination
of a Specific Learning Disability:

Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses Process:

The district uses a Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses Process for the determination of a Specific Learning Disability for all buildings and all grades in the district and includes the following:

1.    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)(1)(i) when provided with learning experiences and instruction appropriate for the student’s age or State-approved grade-level standards; and

2.    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 Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team to be relevant to the identification of a Specific Learning Disability, using appropriate assessments, consistent with the IDEA Evaluation Procedures and Additional Requirements for Evaluations and Reevaluations.

Compliance with Section 504

Monroe Public Schools’ Policy and Procedure for Providing Regular and Special Education Programs and Related Aids and Services to students under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the School District, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its implementing regulations, is committed to providing a free appropriate education to each qualified handicapped student within its jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the handicap.  The administrative rules establish the procedure by which the School District may meet this commitment. The School District may, as an alternative or in combination with its administrative procedure, follow the provisions established for identification, evaluation and placement of students under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA).  This Board Policy and the Administrative Procedure have been developed and adopted for the purpose of complying with the School District’s educational services obligations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its implementing regulations and they are not designed or intended, nor should they be construed, to grant broader rights or remedies. The Board Policy and Administrative Procedure do not, and should not be construed to, create rights or remedies enforceable in contract by any law other than Section 504 and its implementing regulations.  The School District’s administration may issue interpretative memoranda and adopt directives and procedures to implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Board Policy and Administrative Procedure.

Kathy Lott is designated as the School District’s Section 504 Educational Services Coordinator. As such, Ms. Lott is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the School District’s obligations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, its implementing regulations, Board Policy, and the Administrative Procedure. A student or parents/guardian who believes that the School District has violated its obligation under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or its implementing regulations, Board Policy or the Administrative Procedure, may file a written complaint with the School District’s Section 504 Coordinator within ten (10) calendar days of the alleged violation. The Coordinator will meet with the person who filed the complaint and conduct a reasonable investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the complaint. If the Coordinator determines that a violation has not occurred, the Coordinator shall, in writing, so advise the person who filed the complaint and the School District’s Superintendent. If the Coordinator determines that a violation has occurred, he/she shall put his/her determination in writing, propose a fair resolution of the complaint, and deliver the determination to the person who filed the complaint and the School District Superintendent.  The person who filed the complaint or the School District may appeal the Coordinator’s determination to the Superintendent by so notifying the Superintendent, in writing, within ten (10) calendar days of the Coordinator’s determination. The Superintendent may conduct additional investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the complaint. The Superintendent shall affirm or reverse the Coordinator’s decision and, if warranted, implement the Coordinator’s proposed resolution or a modification thereof. The Superintendent’s decision shall be final.  The parents/guardian or adult student may appeal the Superintendent’s decision to the United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights at a time and a manner consistent with federal law.