Programs & Services
Our Philosophy: The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
In SVUSD, special education is a service, not a place. We are dedicated to providing a full continuum of services that meet the unique needs of every eligible student. By law and philosophy, we ensure that students with disabilities are educated alongside their general education peers to the maximum extent appropriate.
General Education with Accommodations & Support
Many students with learning differences thrive entirely within the regular classroom environment with the right supports in place.
Accommodations:
These change how a student learns, not what they learn. Examples include preferential seating, extra time on tests, or assistive technology tools.
Section 504 Plans:
For students with a documented physical or mental impairment (such as ADHD, severe allergies, or diabetes) that impacts a major life activity but who do not require specialized academic instruction. A 504 plan guarantees legal accommodations within the general education setting. (For an in depth explaination of the difference between an IEP and a 504 Plan, see Understood.org: The Difference Between IEPs and 504 Plans)
Designated Instructional Services (DIS) / Related Services:
Students may remain in general education full-time but receive specialized, pull-out or push-in services from district specialists, including:
💬 Speech and Language Therapy: Focuses on articulation, language comprehension, expression, and social communication skills.
🎨 Occupational Therapy (OT): Supports fine motor skills, sensory processing, and coordination needed for school tasks.
🏃♂️ Adapted Physical Education (APE): Modifies PE activities for students with physical or motor delays.
Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) Models
When a student’s needs go beyond standard classroom accommodations, they may qualify for Specialized Academic Instruction. This support is formalized through an IEP.
What is an IEP?
IEP stands for Individualized Education Program. It is a legally binding, written document developed by a team of school specialists and you (the parent). The IEP outlines your child's current learning strengths, establishes specific, measurable annual learning goals, and details the exact accommodations, modifications, and specialized services the district will provide to help them reach those goals.
Resource Specialist Program (RSP)
The RSP model is designed for students who can participate in the general education classroom for the majority of the school day but require targeted, specialized academic support to meet their IEP goals.
👉 How it works: Support may be provided through a "push-in" model (the specialist works alongside the student inside the regular classroom) or a "pull-out" model (the student goes to the Resource Room for small group instruction in specific areas like reading, writing, or math).
Special Day Class (SDC)
The SDC model is designed for students whose educational needs are more intensive and cannot be met entirely within the general education classroom, even with modifications and RSP support.
👉 How it works: Students spend a larger portion of their day in a highly structured, self-contained classroom with a credentialed Special Education teacher and instructional assistants.
👉 Inclusion Focus: Even in our SDC programs, students are purposefully included in general education environments for electives, lunch, assemblies, recess, and academic subjects whenever appropriate for the individual child.
Specialized Programs & Pathways
Beyond our traditional K-12 campus classrooms, SVUSD offers specialized instructional pathways designed for specific age groups, transitions, or unique student health circumstances.
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Sonoma Valley Unified School District is pleased to offer early intervention services for preschool-aged children. If you have concerns about your child's speech, behavior, or overall development, contact the SVUSD Special Education Department Office at (707) 935-6004.
Once our district team completes the assessment, we will hold an IEP meeting with you to determine the best path forward:
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Speech and Language Support: If your child qualifies for speech-only services, those therapies are delivered directly by SVUSD specialists at a local campus.
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Intensive Classroom Needs: If the assessment shows your child needs an intensive, specialized preschool classroom environment, SVUSD will coordinate and arrange for them to attend a regional preschool program operated by our partner, the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE). You can learn more about regional early childhood guidelines via the Sonoma County SELPA Early Childhood Resource Page.
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For our older students, the IEP shifts to focus heavily on independence and career preparation. We partner with regional programs to provide vocational training, independent living skills instruction, and job placement assistance to ensure a successful transition into adulthood.
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California CareerZone: California CareerZone is a career exploration tool tailored for student planning.
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Petaluma Adult School & Local Agencies: Partnering to provide continued education and community-based vocational training.
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Sometimes, a severe medical, physical, or emotional health condition prevents a student from physically attending school. Our Home or Hospital Instruction program ensures that a student's education continues uninterrupted during temporary periods of confinement.
- How it Works: If a licensed physician verifies in writing that a student must remain home or in a hospital facility for a prolonged period (a minimum of 3 consecutive weeks), the district provides a credentialed teacher to deliver personalized, short-term instruction at home or at an agreed-upon health facility to maintain continuity with their schoolwork.
- For Students with IEPs/504s: If your child has an active IEP or 504 plan, a team meeting will be held promptly to approve the temporary home placement and determine how their specialized services will be delivered during their recovery.