Special Education Services

Our Philosophy of Special Education

• Students are to be valued equally.
• All students can learn, including students with disabilities.
• Individual education plans are developed cooperatively with resident district staff, Intermediate School District 917 staff, and parents/guardians.  The individual education plans include a comprehensive view of each student and their abilities and needs, including transition.
• Students with disabilities will be served in an environment appropriate for their educational needs.  We believe that providing services to students with disabilities in integrated settings is determined by individual student needs and should be practiced and encouraged when that setting will foster appropriate educational growth.
• Educators from the resident school districts and Intermediate School District 917 must cooperate with each other and other human service agencies to achieve comprehensive student-centered services.
• The school district in which the student resides is legally responsible for the special education services provided to the student, and Intermediate District 917 must also be responsive to the expectations of that district.

Nine school districts located in Dakota County and southern Hennepin County identify and refer students with certain disabilities to Intermediate School District 917 to provide special education services.  Services are offered in the least restrictive environment appropriate to each student.

Here are the steps for students referred for special education services:

1. A member district's special education director completes the ISD 917 Referral Form, which includes the necessary supporting documents, including but not limited to: the current Individualized Education Plan, most recent Education Evaluation, a signed Prior Written Notice detailing the IEP teams agreement to the change in placement or services, and any necessary medical or behavioral documentation. A summary of the form is sent to the member districts' Director of Special Services.
2. Upon receiving the request, the Central Intake Coordinator will contact the referring school district and gather additional information about the student's programming needs to determine the appropriate 917 programs, supports, and services. 
3. The 917 program team in which the student is placed, schedules an intake/IEP meeting that includes a representative from the referring school district, Intermediate District 917, and the student's parent/guardian.  During the meeting, the team discusses the student's needs and completes any additional forms.
4. The student's IEP is updated to reflect current services and supports.

• ISD 917 Centralized Intake Procedure
• ISD 917 Physical Therapy Referral Form

Districts completing a referral for "Purchase of Service" will also need to complete the ISD 917 Referral Form in addition to providing medical documentation.