Programs and Services in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) serve students from birth to kindergarten identified as having a Developmental Delay (DD) or other disability. Screening for ECSE evaluation is available by calling 612.348.TOTS (8687). Eligibility is determined through evaluation by Minneapolis Public Schools. ECSE services are offered in the community, homes, childcare sites and schools throughout the school district.

Programs and Services for Academic Learning Disabilities include Coordinated Learning for Academic and Social Success (CLASS), a cross-categorical program serving students in grades K-8 who require more intensive special education services for the majority of the day due to significant discrepancies from grade level peers in most or all academic skills. Students participate in general education classes that are appropriate for their age and skill level. Current locations: Andersen, Anthony, Armatage, Kenwood, Lucy Laney, Jenny Lind, Olson, Pillsbury, Sheridan and Sullivan.

Programs and Services for Students with Emotional and Behavior Disabilities

• Special Program for Adolescent Needs (SPAN) serves students in middle and high school who have emotional and/or behavioral disabilities that adversely affect their progress in the regular education setting despite intensive intervention. The program provides highly structured individual and small-group instruction in the academic and social skills necessary for school success. Students attend mainstream classes as appropriate. Current locations: Anwatin, Northeast and Sanford.

• Special Program for Elementary Needs (SPEN) is a cross-categorical program serving students grades K-5 who require special education services for the majority of the day due to emotional/behavioral disorders. The program employs a highly structured behavior management system within the context of standards-based academic instruction. Students have the opportunity to participate in general education classes that are appropriate for their age and skill level. Current locations: Bryn Mawr, Elizabeth Hall, Northrop, Waite Park and Whittier.

• Self-Contained Schools serve students who have significant emotional, behavior and mental health needs that adversely affect their academic and social progress. Students receive intensive individual academic and behavior management support. Current locations: W. Harry Davis/Riverbend (K-8).

• Hospital Agencies/Day Treatments/Care & Treatment Facilities serve students placed by county courts who are in hospitals, day treatment or residential programs located in Minneapolis. These programs provide residential treatment, day treatment and emergency shelter services. A student’s educational program is provided at these sites. Current locations: Children’s Residential Treatment Center, Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center, Minnesota Teen Challenge, Riverside Medical Center, University of Minnesota Hospitals and St. Joseph’s Home for Children.

Programs and Services for Students with Cognitive/Neurological/Physical Disabilities

• Autism Spectrum Disorder Program (ASD) provides highly structured, individualized programming; intensive communication and language training; social skills training; use of natural environments for instruction; positive behavioral programming; and inclusion with mainstream peers and activities. Current locations: Andersen, Anthony, Bancroft, Burroughs, Cityview, Folwell, Hale/Field, Jefferson, Kenny, Lake Nokomis Wenonah/ Keewaydin, Lyndale, Marcy, Olson, Pillsbury, Ramsey, Bethune, Jenny Lind, Sanford, Sheridan and Sullivan.

• Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program (DHH) serves students with varying levels of hearing loss. Instruction designed to increase academic, communication, interpersonal, amplification management and other skills is delivered based on individual communication needs. These needs range from using listening and speaking to communicate with others to using a manually-encoded language (like ASL or Cued Speech). Current locations: Sullivan and Southwest. Itinerant services are offered at all Minneapolis Public Schools sites.

• Developmental Cognitive Delay Program (DCD) serves students with mild to severe mental disabilities whose needs cannot be met in regular classrooms even with support from special education resource teachers (SERT). Services include academic skills, functional and adaptive skills, intellectual functioning, social skills and vocational skills. Current locations: Anwatin, Bancroft, Bethune, Cityview, Dowling, Hiawatha, Hmong International Academy, Jefferson, Lake Harriet Lower, Lake Harriet Upper, Northeast, Sanford and W. Harry Davis/Riverbend.

• Physical and Health Disabilities Program (P/HD) serves students who are identified as Physically Impaired (PI), Other Health Disabilities (OHD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Students are served at their school of attendance or at accessible sites with a more comprehensive service model.  The P/HD program serves students who are identified as needing more intensive services. Current locations: Nellie Stone Johnson and South High School.