Special Education

Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) Child Find procedures identify, locate, and evaluate children from birth to age 21 with suspected disabilities or developmental delays. A free, appropriate, public education (FAPE) must be available to all children with disabilities who reside in the Los Alamos Public Schools district. Child Find applies both to children who are not yet enrolled in school and to students currently enrolled in district schools. This process covers all children, including those in private schools, home-schooled, homeless, or highly mobile who reside in the Los Alamos Public Schools district. LAPS conducts evaluations for eligible children residing in the district to provide free appropriate special education services, with a specific focus on developmental screenings for children ages 3–4, including speech, motor skills, and social-emotional development.  

Children Not Yet Enrolled in School
For children who are not currently enrolled in a district school, Child Find activities focus on developmental screening and identification of potential disabilities prior to school entry.

Referrals may be made by parents, guardians, physicians, childcare providers, community agencies, or other individuals who suspect a child may have a disability.

If you suspect a child aged 3-21, not enrolled in school, has a disability and may require special education services, please complete the Child Find Form. If you need additional information, please contact the Student Services office at (505) 663-2208 or email the Coordinator of Student Services.

Birth Through Age Three
Children from birth through age three who are suspected of having developmental delays or disabilities will be referred to the appropriate Part C Early Intervention provider, Las Cumbres, for evaluation and services.

Preschool Children (Ages 3–4)
Parents, medical personnel, or community members who have concerns regarding a preschool-aged child's development may contact Student Services to request a developmental screening. LAPS offers screenings for developmental delays and operates a Special Education Preschool Program.

Screening areas may include:

• Speech and language development
• Cognitive development
• Motor skills
• Social-emotional development
• Adaptive and functional skills

Following the screening process, Student Services will review the results and determine whether additional information is needed or whether parental consent should be requested for a multidisciplinary evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services.

Students Currently Enrolled in School
For School-Aged (5-21) students enrolled in Los Alamos Public Schools, Child Find is an ongoing process that occurs through classroom instruction, universal screening, progress monitoring, review of academic and behavioral data, and staff and parent observations. Screenings lead to a multidisciplinary evaluation if a disability is suspected.

A referral may be initiated at any time by:

• A parent or guardian
• A teacher
• A school administrator
• A related service provider
• A school support staff member
• Any individual with knowledge of the student

When a disability is suspected, Student Services and the appropriate school team will review existing information and determine next steps.

The review may result in one or more of the following actions:

• Collection of additional academic, behavioral, functional, developmental, or health information;
• Review of existing MLSS intervention data;
• Consultation with parents, teachers, and other relevant personnel; or
• Requesting parental consent for a screening and/or multidisciplinary evaluation.

The district may use information gathered through the Multi-Layered System of Supports (MLSS) process as part of the Child Find review. However, participation in MLSS is not required before a referral for special education evaluation can be made. A referral, evaluation, or eligibility determination shall not be delayed or denied when a disability is suspected.

Students may be referred for a full and individual evaluation at any time before, during, or after participation in MLSS interventions.

Child Find Review Process
Upon receipt of a referral, Student Services and the appropriate school team will review existing information to determine next steps. Parents will be invited to a SAT (Student Assistance Team) meeting to discuss the existing information.

At the conclusion of the SAT meeting, the team will identify and document the appropriate next steps which are either: 

1. To collect additional information regarding the student's academic, behavioral, functional, or developmental needs, including existing MTSS/MLSS data: or
2. To seek parent consent to conduct a screening and/or multidisciplinary evaluation to determine whether the student is a child with a disability requiring special education and related services.

The implementation of MTSS/MLSS interventions does not delay or deny a referral for evaluation when a disability is suspected.

Parent Requests
Parents may request an initial special education evaluation at any time to determine whether their child is a student with a disability requiring special education and/or related services, consistent with 6.31.2.10 NMAC.

Special Education and Related Services Clarification
Special Education and EDT/IEP Clarification
Special Education and DD Clarification
Understanding the Multi-Layered Systems of Support (MLSS) & Student Assistance Team (SAT) Process

The IEP team may recommend one of more of the following related services necessary for a child with a disability to benefit from special education. These can include audiology, physical therapy, school counseling, psychological services, speech/language therapy, special transportation, orientation/mobility training, parent training, school social work, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, school health services, or interpretation services.

Parent and Child Rights Procedural Safeguard Notice – December 2020 PDF
Derechos de los Padres y de/la Nino(a) en la Educacion Especial en Espanol PDF
Parent and Child Rights in Special Education in Navajo PDF
Parent and Child Rights in Special Education in Russian PDF
Parent and Child Rights in Special Education in Vietnamese PDF
Parent and Child Rights in Special Education in Mandarin PDF
ASL Procedural Safeguards for Students with Disabilities and Their Families Video

Special education and related services are provided to eligible students beyond the 180 school days at no cost to parents. Eligibility is determined on an individual basis by the IEP team based on demonstration of significant regression/recoupment relative to current IEP instructional goals and objectives.

Special education services are provided in home, hospital, or other settings as deemed necessary by the IEP team.

A student transferring into Los Alamos Public Schools who has been served in a special education program in the previous district may be placed on an interim IEP in a special education program which appears to meet the student’s reported needs. Final placement in special education is contingent upon the receipt and acceptance of previous diagnostic data and the determination of need by the IEP team. If the records are not received or do not verify the student’s eligibility, the student may be referred for further evaluation by local diagnosticians.

A work study program is coordinated by licensed special education staff at the high school. The students receive instruction in job skills as necessary from their special education teachers, the work study coordinators, and job coaches. When students have mastered some basic job skills, they are placed according to individual needs at job sites in the community which are funded through a variety of supplemental sources including state and federal agencies and private employers.

If you have questions about special education programming or services, please contact your case manager. LAPS Case Managers are the most knowledgeable about your student and their individual needs.

If you still have questions, please contact your school administrator. They are the next line of support for you and your student regarding special education programming. 
Still have questions, please contact Student Services at the  LAPS District Office. 

Still have questions, here are some additional resources:

NM Office of Special Education
The Office of Special Education will provide support to districts, parents and SWDs to ensure outcomes of a free appropriate public education for students protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). We will review data to make decisions that will impact support for SWDs to meet college and career ready standards through equitable access to rigorous courses, high-quality instruction, and appropriate support.

NM PED Special Education Parent Portal

Office of Special Education Ombud 

• OSEO Family and Professional Office Hour Flyer

Disability Rights New Mexico (DRNM)
DRNM is a non-profit organization that protects the rights of people with disabilities. They can provide legal and advocacy support related to special education. 

Parents Reaching Out (NM PTI)
They offer training and support to parents of children with disabilities, including information about IDEA and Section 504. 

University of New Mexico's Center for Development and Disability

New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Planning Council