Mrs. Kara ByrleyK-12 Certified Special Education Teacher and Advisor phone: 907-352-7327 email: kara.byrley@matsuk12.us Office Schedule: M-F 9:00am-3:45pm |
Family-supported Special Education
What do special education services look like at Twindly Bridge?
Special education is a district-provided service through the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Twindly Bridge supports a parent-led special education approach. The parent/guardian plays an essential role in this program. Choosing Twindly Bridge means: - Services are a team decision determined through an evaluation and supported by data. Services are documented through an Individualized Education Plan (or "IEP"). - The parent/guardian are responsible for providing or accessing services and in the time frames provided by district personnel. - The parent/guardian educator is responsible for providing all support that is related to academics. - For children eligible for Speech/Language services, they are provided by a district-contracted remote speech language pathologist via teletherapy accessed in the home setting. The schedule is mutually agreed upon to the maximum extent possible. Parents can use their allotment to purchase equipment needed to access teletherapy or arrange time with the special education teacher to attend sessions on-site using school equipment. - Other related services that your child qualifies for, are provided at your neighborhood school. (i.e. occupational therapy, physical therapy, adapted PE, counseling, etc.) - Twindly Bridge Special Education staff support parents/guardians throughout the year with resources and advice as a partner in student education. - Parents must record data and maintain a data system (as agreed upon with their advisor) on their child’s goals to report progress every quarter to their advisor - Parents must maintain regular communication with the special education and related service provider staff in order to effectively coordinate services |
What's the difference between an ILP and an IEP? An ILP is an Individual Learning Plan. Every child enrolled at Twindly creates one of these with their advisor which outlines the classes they take, the curriculum being used, and how they are being assessed. An IEP is an Individualized Education Plan is for students with disabilities and a required component of special education services required by federal law. If your student qualifies for special education services, they will have both an IEP and their Twindly Bridge ILP. What curriculum can I use?
The homeschool educator will make choices about curriculum such as level, style, and rigor with the support of their advisor. If a student has a learning disability, the curriculum choice may be limited. All curriculum must be advisor-approved. Parents are responsible for planning, scheduling, teaching, and grading. Homeschool educators (parents) of students with IEPs are also responsible for tracking progress on goals and implementing the strategies agreed upon to help reach those goals. |
My child currently has an IEP. How do I get started at Twindly Bridge?
When you first enroll in Twindly Bridge, if your child has already been receiving special education services from another school or district, then you follow the same initial steps of school enrollment for our district:
- Begin with online registration after July 1.
- When the school option is presented, choose “Twindly Bridge Charter School”
- Wait for our front office to contact you about enrolling your student(s)
- It is important to let them know, and to indicate on any and all paperwork, that your student has an IEP. This will help ensure a smooth start and correct advisor assignment.
When you first enroll in Twindly Bridge, if your child has already been receiving special education services from another school or district, then you follow the same initial steps of school enrollment for our district:
- Begin with online registration after July 1.
- When the school option is presented, choose “Twindly Bridge Charter School”
- Wait for our front office to contact you about enrolling your student(s)
- It is important to let them know, and to indicate on any and all paperwork, that your student has an IEP. This will help ensure a smooth start and correct advisor assignment.
My child doesn't receive special education services, but I have concerns about their progress. What should I do?
Start by contacting your advisor and discussing your concerns. They will guide you through creating an intervention plan to immediately begin addressing their needs!
Start by contacting your advisor and discussing your concerns. They will guide you through creating an intervention plan to immediately begin addressing their needs!
Have concerns about a child not yet in Kindergarten?
Project Childfind is a screening program for children birth to five years old to identify any educational or physical needs that must be addressed to enable the child to fully benefit from an educational program. The screening is offered by the Mat-Su School District and is free of charge.
Call the Childfind Appointment Hotline at 907.761.4049 or visit the district webpage for more information
Childfind Locations:
Central Administration Building, Palmer 501 N. Gulkana Street Palmer, AK 99645 (Behind Swanson Elementary School)
CCS Early Learning, Meadow Lakes Center, Mile 49 Parks Highway
Project Childfind is a screening program for children birth to five years old to identify any educational or physical needs that must be addressed to enable the child to fully benefit from an educational program. The screening is offered by the Mat-Su School District and is free of charge.
Call the Childfind Appointment Hotline at 907.761.4049 or visit the district webpage for more information
Childfind Locations:
Central Administration Building, Palmer 501 N. Gulkana Street Palmer, AK 99645 (Behind Swanson Elementary School)
CCS Early Learning, Meadow Lakes Center, Mile 49 Parks Highway