Special Education Services

Magnolia has a fantastic special education program!

We have 2 full-time Special Education teachers and 4 Instructional Assistants who teach in our Resource and Access programs. We also have an Occupational Therapist, a Physical Therapist, and a Speech Language Pathologist, who provide additional services.

The Resource and Access Programs provide two levels of support for children with special academic or social emotional needs at Magnolia.

Resource

 Resource services are intended to provide specially designed instruction to students with mild to moderate intensity in their special education instructional needs. These services support students who benefit from spending most of their instructional time in general education settings with targeted support. But services may be provided in any setting, based on the individual IEP.

Access

Access services are intended to provide specially designed instruction to students with more intensive academic and functional special education needs. These services support students who are able to make progress on their IEP goals while spending most of their instructional time, including specially designed instruction, in general education settings with a range of supports. Because adult : student staffing ratios are higher, students receive slightly more support than is provided under the Resource model. This program allows us to provide additional supports to students already attending Magnolia and we have also been able to welcome new families qualifying for this program to the Magnolia community.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy services help children to participate in activities of daily life. Services may address a broad range of need from strategies to maintain attention in class to assistance holding and using a pencil.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a service provided to students who have conditions that impact their movement and mobility, that interfere with the student’s ability to participate in the educational environment. Movement and mobility activities include standing, transferring, and muscle strengthening. The need for physical therapy is considered during a student’s evaluation.

Speech Language Pathology

Speech Language Pathologists (also known as SLPs, Speech Therapists) in Seattle Public Schools work with students who have difficulties communicating, impacting their learning and/or social interactions. Common areas of treatment include speech sounds, language, fluency and social communication. Students are served one-on-one or in small groups depending on their needs. In addition, students can be seen within the classroom or in a therapy room. Speech therapists work with teachers, parents, instructional assistants, and administrators to ensure student success.