What We Do
Special Education and related services are provided to eligible students with disabilities from birth to age 21. These services are embedded within our schools and designed to meet each student’s unique educational needs as identified in their Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individual Education Program (IEP). Every effort is made to maintain students in their neighborhood settings with their age-appropriate peers in the least restrictive environment. Special Education in the Rapid City Area School District is determined by your child's team at their building level and, if they qualify, they will receive specialized instruction or related services which enable our students to make progress towards their educational and/or behavioral goals. Parents are active participants in the Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Behavior Support Plan (BSP) as we work together to provide the best educational setting possible. If you are moving to the Rapid City Area School District and have a child who has received special education services in their previous district, please bring these records with you when registering your child(ren).This will help our team verify services your child received, identify the steps to determine continued eligibility for special education, and, if appropriate, develop a plan to meet the unique learning needs of your child.

State Performance Plan

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 requires states to have in place a State Performance Plan (SPP) that evaluates the State’s efforts to implement the requirements and purposes of IDEA and describes how the State will improve student performance/achievement. The State reports to the public these results annually. The South Dakota Department of Education provides information to each South Dakota school district about their performance on Special Ed State Performance Plan, SD Department of Education

 

Helpful Documents

RCAS Comprehensive Plan

SD Parental Rights – Parental Rights Procedural Safeguards, SD Department of Education

SD DOE Special Education Website – Special Education, SD Department of Education

Todd Christensen
Interim Director of Special Services
Dr. Keyra Comer
Special Services Program Manager
Special Education Contacts
Name Title Email
Donna Mitchell Secretary for the Special Services Program Director Email Donna
Michele Peterson Secretary for the Special Services Program Manager Email Michele