Special Education

Independent School District 191 is committed to providing services in the least restrictive environment. Students with a Specific Learning Disability (SLD), Emotional/Behavior Disorder (EBD), Developmental Cognitive Disabilities - Mild/Moderate (DCD-M/M), Physical Impairment (PI), Other Health Impaired (OHI), and Speech/Language Impairment (SPI), typically receive services through special education staff at their neighborhood school. Students with other disabilities may also receive services at their neighborhood school based on an IEP team decision. 

The district serves students in specialized-focus programs, as appropriate, for students with Developmental Cognitive Disabilities, Emotional/Behavior Disorders (EBD), Neuro-biological Disorders (NB) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Placement in a focus program is determined by the student's IEP team and facilitated by a district special education coordinator/supervisor. 

Focus programs are designed to serve students' curricular and disability needs. Enrollment in these programs is determined by an IEP team based on the student's need for a significant amount of special education service beyond what is available in their neighborhood school.

Students with all disabilities who have not graduated and who continued to have IEP-based educational needs receive instruction at the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Transition (BEST) Program. This program provides students with real life curriculum in five areas - home living, recreation and leisure, jobs and job training, post-secondary education and training, and community participation. Students exit the program and receive their high school diploma when their Individual Education Plan goals have been met. 

BEST is a positive and safe environment that promotes independence for students in a community based, real-world environment to foster successful young adults.  We believe students can achieve independence through focused efforts at job sites and in the community, and have the right to be valued, respected, and included in the community and work places.

The mission is accomplished by: 

• Students participating in community-based education. 
• Students receiving specialized instruction, training and support. 
• Students learning competency based functional skills for continued development in daily living, personal social and career preparation skills. 
• Students participating in career exploration and development.

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Serving the special education needs of young children, ages birth to 5 years old, District 191 Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) professionals provide families with education, support, consultation and direct services.

ECSE services are provided at no charge to families. The nature and frequency of services vary based on the individual educational needs of each child and his/her family. ECSE services may include:

• Assessment 
• Individual and small group instruction in an ECSE classroom, preschool or daycare setting
• Parent-Child Groups
• Home based services
• Consultation with parents, preschool teachers, and/or child care providers
• Collaboration with physicians and other community agencies

Homebound instruction is provided at no cost to students or families for the following reasons: 

• If a student has a medical condition that is projected to keep him/her out of school for 15 days or more, homebound instruction provided by a licensed teacher can be made available. The student will need to provide the school nurse with medical documentation from his/her physician. The school nurse will process the referral to the Director of Student Support Services.​
• ​If a student is expelled from school, homebound instruction is provided beginning on the 6th consecutive day of suspension and/or expulsion. The Assistant Superintendent will make the referral to the Director of Student Support Services.
• ​​Students who have an Individual Educational Program (IEP) plan may be provided homebound instruction for reasons related to their disabilities. Under these circumstances, the IEP team including staff and parents determines the appropriate placement, and makes the referral to the Director of Student Support Services.

The Director of Student Support Services is responsible for overseeing this program. 

**If you are a licensed teacher who would like to provide homebound instruction, please contact Student Support Services at 952-707-2082 for more information.

• Homebound Request Form (Medical)

• Homebound Request Form (Non-Medical)