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Special class grouping

Students with disabilities are grouped for special class services based on similarity of educational needs.  

Classes may be composed of students with the same disability or with different disabilities but with similar educational/functional needs.

Key considerations for grouping

  • Similarity of needs: Students are grouped together in special classes based on similar levels of knowledge and development in various subject and skill areas. These areas include activities of daily living, intellectual functioning, adaptive behavior, expected progress in acquiring skills and information, and learning styles. 
  • Range of achievement: The academic or educational achievement range within the group must be limited to ensure that each student has appropriate opportunities to achieve their individual goals. This limitation helps maintain a balance within the class, ensuring that all students can benefit from the instruction provided. 
  • Learning characteristics: The learning characteristics of students in the class should be sufficiently similar to prevent any student from falling behind due to unmet instructional needs. This ensures that the instruction is effective and that all students are progressing at a rate that is appropriate for their abilities. 

By carefully considering these factors, special classes can be designed to provide the most effective learning environment for students with disabilities, ensuring that their unique needs are met and that they have the opportunity to succeed academically.

According to state regulations, the achievement levels in reading and math in special classes with a ratio of 12:1, 12:1+1 or 15:1 should not exceed three years. If a reading and math achievement levels exceed 3 years, the school must provide parents of each student in the class a description of the range of reading and math achievement levels and the general levels of social development, physical development and management needs in the class by Nov. 1 of each year. The parents of any new students entering that class after Nov. 1 must be provided the same information.