Title I and Learning Assistance Program (LAP)

Title I and Learning Assistance Programs provide supplemental reading and/or math support for selected students and schools. These programs serve specific schools that meet the criteria set by the federal and state governments.

Title I in Bellingham Public Schools:

In the Bellingham Public Schools we have five elementary schools that receive Federal Title I, Part A funds – Alderwood, Birchwood, Carl Cozier, Cordata, and Roosevelt.

Annual notifications:

Title I & parent involvement:

Family Engagement is one of our key strategies in The Bellingham Promise. We strive to partner with families through parent involvement activities, open communication, and welcoming schools.

District Parent Involvement Policy
Annual Title I Parent Meeting
Each School Title I website contains School Parent Involvement Policy/Plans
Link to Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction(OSPI) Title I Parent Involvement Information & Resources
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Services for students who are experiencing homelessness:

Title I services are also provided to students in non-Title I schools who qualify for homeless status and are in need of additional academic support and resources.

Title I & private schools:

As per federal regulations, Title I funds are also used to support the academic needs of qualifying students enrolled at private schools. Private schools must opt in to participate in this program. All private schools are notified annually on how to indicate their intent to participate.

District & school report cards:

Links to school report cards can be found on each school’s website
Links to District Report Card
National Assessment Educational Progress (NAEP)
Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO)

Complaint process – File a citizen’s complaint:

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has a written formal complaint process for resolving issues of violation of a Title I Federal regulation. If you have a concern with Title I services and/or regulations we encourage you to contact your child’s Title I teaching team, your school’s principal and/or the district’s Title I office (360-676-6542). You can also access the citizen’s complaint process through the OSPI office in Olympia. The links below has all of the information for filing a complaint through OSPI.

Links to OSPI Complaint Process OSPI Website with Citizen’s Complaint Information and Forms
File a Citizen Complaint Against a School District, Educational Service District or Other School Service Provider: This page outlines the 5-step process through which a citizen can file a complaint against a school district, Educational Service District (ESD) or other school service provider (subgrantee).
File a Citizen Complaint Against OSPI: This page outlines the 4-step process through which a citizen can file a complaint against OSPI.

LAP:

State Learning Assistance Program (LAP) funds in the Bellingham Public Schools are used to provide supplemental reading and math services to qualifying students at the elementary, middle and high schools.

Elementary LAP reading support:

Each elementary school has a part-time reading support specialist who works with students to support their reading development. The elementary LAP reading specialists provide supplemental instruction for striving readers.

Middle school & high school LAP reading support:

Each middle school also offers Read 180 curriculum as a part of their differentiated support for striving readers. American Reading curriculum is also used in some middle school reading support classes. Read 180 is also currently offered at Squalicum High School.

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What is Special Education?
Getting Started
Our Special Education Programs
Notice of Special Education Procedural Safeguards for Students and Families
State and Federal Resources
Resources for Families
Special Education Parent Advisory Committee

What is Special Education?

Special Education is specialized instruction for students age Birth to 21 who qualify according to the laws and regulations outlined by state and federal government. A student may qualify for services in one of the areas as identified by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The following definitions are from the U.S. Department of Education website.

Getting Started

The district participates in "child find" - awareness and screening activities for the purpose of locating, identifying and evaluating children who are suspected of having disabilities and who may be in need of special education services. A student may also be referred for a special education evaluation by any source, including parents. The referral is to be made in writing and submitted to the building principal or designee. The Special Education Process

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Special Education? (from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction [OSPI] website)
How does Special Education work? (from the OSPI website)
What to do if you think your student needs Special Education service s? (from the OSPI website)
How does your student qualify for Special Education? (from the OSPI website)

Our Special Education Programs

Our district has a variety of programs to support families of students with special needs:

Birth to 2: Bellingham schools partners with community agencies to provide early intervention services through the Department of Early Learning (DEL) Early Supports for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program. Children ages Birth to Two who have delays in their development or have a physical or mental condition that is known to cause a delay in development may be eligible for early intervention services. These services are provided in a child’s natural environment which may include in their home or childcare program.
Preschool: Early childhood preschool programs provide a language-based curriculum to students ages 3-4 with developmental delays. Preschool programs are based in the following locations:
- Alderwood Elementary
- Birchwood Elementary
- Cordata Elementary
- Geneva Elementary
- Happy Valley Elementary
- Northern Heights Elementary
- Sunnyland Elementary
- Sehome High School
Resource: programs provide direct, integrated, and/or consultative services to students with mild to moderate disabilities in general education. Resource programs are based in every elementary, middle and high school.
Life Skills: Life Skills programs provide a functional academic and skill domain curriculum, with supported integration in general education and opportunities for community-based instruction to students with moderate to severe developmental disabilities. Life Skills programs are based in the following locations:
- Carl Cozier Elementary
- Columbia Elementary
- Cordata Elementary
- Wade King Elementary
- Fairhaven Middle
- Kulshan Middle
- Shuksan Middle
- Bellingham High
- Sehome High
- Squalicum HIgh
EBD (Emotionally/Behaviorally Disabled) BRIDGES: The "BRIDGES" programs provide an academic curriculum within a structured behavior management system, with integration or mainstreaming in general education, to students with moderate to severe behavioral disabilities. EBD programs are based in the following locations:
- Parkview Elementary
- Lowell Elementary
- Whatcom Middle
- Squalicum High
Community Transitions: The Community Transitions post-high school program provides transition classes, supported and independent vocational experiences, and linkages to adult services for students ages 18-21 with mild, moderate, or severe disabilities.
Itinerant Services: Itinerant services provide instruction and support to students who need:
- Physical Therapy
- Assistive Technology
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech Language Therapy
- Sign Language
- Aural Rehab Management
- Braille
- Diagnostic-Psychological intervention
- Autism Consultation
Out of District Placements: For students who need intensive services, the Bellingham Public Schools contracts with other providers including:
- Northwest ESD 189 - Whatcom Discovery

State and Federal Resources

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction - Special Education (OSPI) Washington State Resources for Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities Resources

Continuing Education Opportunities

Special Education Technology Center
Northwest Educational Service District 189
IEP 101 for Families
Paraeducator Trainings

Special Education Office Staff

Director: Mike Haberman, (360) 676-6458 Secretary: Deanna Bannerman (360) 676-6458 Assistant Director: Bethany Verner (360) 676-6458 Secretary: Joy Rawls (360) 676-6470 ext. 2042

Program Secretaries:

Coleen Aylen: (360) 676-6470 ext. 4408

Vickie Tapparo: (360) 676-6470 ext. 6833

Julie Webster: (360) 676-6517

Special Education Records Requests

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