Special Education

Special Education Eligibility

Guided by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and Minnesota regulations, the Orono Public Schools ensure all special education students receive a free and appropriate public education. Orono Schools offers programs and services for students who have met special education eligibility in any of the 13 disability areas identified in Minnesota Rules Chapter 3525.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Deaf/Blind (BD) 
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)
• Developmental Delay – Infant and Toddler Intervention Services (Birth-2)
• Developmental Cognitive Disabilities (DCD)
• Emotional Behavioral Disorder (EBD) 
• Other Health Disabilities (OHD)
• Physical Impairment (PI)
• Severely Multiply Impaired (SMI)
• Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
• Speech or Language Impairment (SLP)
• Traumatic Brain Injured (TBI)
• Visual Impairment (VI)

In addition to our staff of special education teachers and speech language pathologists, we contract with our local Intermediate District 287 for the following services:

• Assistive Technology Specialist
• Braille Specialist
• Deaf-Hard of Hearing Teacher
• Vision Teacher
• Educational Audiologists
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapist

Individual Education Plan

The district is committed to ensuring that all students with disabilities have an appropriate education. This is guided by the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) development process, which results in a comprehensive plan addressing needs specific to the individual student.

Section 504 is part of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which is a civil rights act that protects the rights of people with disabilities. Section 504 requires school districts to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to each qualified person with a disability.  Section 504 allows for accommodations and modifications within regular education for students that are not identified as disabled by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Section 504 defines a person as disabled if he or she has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This includes caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. In order to determine eligibility, a team of individuals who are knowledgeable about the student must conduct an evaluation and the results must be shared at a team meeting. If it is determined that a student has a disability under Section 504, the school district must develop and implement a plan that details the needed accommodations and modifications.  

Please contact Dr. Aaron Ruhland for information regarding 504 plans.  aaron.ruhland@orono.k12.mn.us

Minnesota Continuous Improvement Monitoring Process (MNCIMP)

Special Education monitoring provides general supervision and oversight of special education programs in Minnesota public schools to ensure compliance with federal and state legislation. In Orono Schools, this is accomplished through the Minnesota Continuous Improvement Monitoring Process (MNCIMP).

MNCIMP provides the vehicle for MDE oversight of due process and procedural safeguards, conferred education benefit, the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE), and the full provision of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Self-Review process brings compliance and special education program evaluation into a single strategic plan to improve due process compliance and program results for students with disabilities. This monitoring option includes record reviews, on-site observations and the collection of stakeholder information.

This collaborative group consists of district and parent representatives that focus on building trust, open communication, problem solving, sharing new ideas, maintaining MDE compliance and sharing our vision for excellence in learning for all students.  Visit the SEPPC webpage for more information and meeting minutes.

In accordance with Minnesota Statute 1125A.0942, Subd. 1, every school district is required to develop and make public a plan that discloses its use of restrictive procedures. Please visit the Orono Schools Restrictive Procedure Plan for more information. 

View the Orono Schools Total Special Education System (TSES) Plan