Special Education

RISE stands for Reaching Independence through Structured Environments.  This program is for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder who have academics at or above their general education grade level.  The focus is on access to the general education curriculum with the support of our Special Education staff. 

Students in our RISE program participate in traditional classroom settings and in school activities along with our entire student population.

Most students in BVSD who require special education support have their needs met through Resource Programming. Specialized instruction can be provided in the classroom or in small groups depending on the level of need. 

Our Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) provide specialized instruction for students who require support with communication.  Students may work one-on-one or in small groups with our speech/language team.  Support will be provided for a student's specific needs.

Occupational Therapists (OTRs) in schools help students take part in everyday school activities—from writing, cutting, and building, to playing with friends and staying organized. They support students when motor skills or sensory needs make it hard to join classroom routines, keep up with schoolwork, or participate in play.

A big part of an OT’s role is helping with sensory processing—how a student’s body takes in and responds to information from the environment. Some students may feel overwhelmed by sounds, movement, or touch, while others may seek extra movement or pressure to feel regulated. OTRs help students learn strategies to stay calm, focused, and ready to learn, and they work with staff to create supportive, sensory-friendly routines and environments.

OTRs look at what a student needs to do (like getting ready for the day, using school tools, moving safely, or working with peers), figure out what’s getting in the way, and then help by teaching new strategies, practicing important skills, or adjusting tasks and environments. Services may happen right in the classroom, on the playground, in the gym, or in a quieter space when needed. They also collaborate closely with teachers and families, so supports are consistent and effective.

The DHoH Center Program for Boulder Valley School District is located at Monarch PreK-8 and Monarch High School. Students in the program are:

• those identified with a deaf-hard-of-hearing elementary or middle school special education eligibility who need a sign language interpreter.
• those who need 3 or more hours of direct services per week from the Teacher of Deaf  (ToD). (For students in Pre-K or Kindergarten it is 1.5 hours or more).
• those who need daily use of equipment that they cannot access without on-site support from a specialist.
• those whose communication plan or IEP indicates a need for the student to have Deaf and Hard of Hearing role models as well as other DHoH student peers as part of the student's identity and sense of belonging.

Services provided by the center program at MPK8 may include co-taught classes, small group services, or 1:1 time between a student and a ToD. Services may also include sign language interpreters or subtitles.

The center-based program at MPK8 values current research and considers best practices for academic and social/emotional services for students. Students accessing the center's program may have other special needs in addition to those related to hearing. An IEP team will meet to determine if all of a student's needs can be met at Monarch PK-8 when multiple special needs are identified.