Continuum of Services

ISD 728 is committed to providing a full continuum of special education services to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, as required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA mandates that school districts offer a range of placement options, from specialized instruction in general education classrooms to more specialized settings, ensuring students receive services in the least restrictive environment (LRE) appropriate for their individual needs.

In ISD 728, we believe every student deserves access to a high-quality education that supports their growth, independence, and success. Our continuum of services is designed to be flexible and responsive, offering individualized support across a variety of educational settings in collaboration with families, staff, and community partners.

Resource

Setting I - II (generally)

Students receive special education services outside of their regular classroom up to 60% of their day.

Instructional Models:

• Push-in (individual or small group)
• Pull-out (individual, small group)
• Co-Taught Classes
• Replacement Classes

Center-Based

Setting II-III (generally)

A self-contained classroom(s), that are part of the mainstream school community, where students with special needs receive specialized instruction for the majority of their day.

• Access to the general education setting (classroom, specials, etc.) when deemed appropriate by the IEP team
• Students are grouped based on similar needs 
• Highly-structured
• Higher staff to student ratio
• Access to instruction in all content areas with program
• Dedicated related services and program supports
• 1-4 classrooms clustered at one site
• Regional locations within boundaries
• Transportation provided by the district

ISD 728 Program Descriptions

Center-Based programs are designed to meet the needs of different profiles of learners. Each program may serve students with a variety of primary disabilities, as needs, not disability labels, determine program placement.

• Journey
  • Serves students who have significant education needs in social communication, self regulation, and require a highly supported, small group instructional environment
• Bridge
  • Serves students grades K - 6 students who have educational needs in emotional, behavioral and self-regulation skills in a supported environment
• Shine
  • Serves students grades K - 6 students who have educational needs in functional and academic skills. Students may receive instruction in the classroom, community and job sites.

Center-Based Program Locations

ELEMENTARY

 

SECONDARY

Separate Site School

ISD 728 offers two setting IV programs for students in need of a self-contained separate site where students receive special education services, away from their general education peers, for a full day. 

• Students are grouped based on similar needs 
• Highly-structured
• Higher staff to student ratio
• Access to instruction in all content areas with program
• Dedicated related services and program supports
• Transportation provided by the district

Currently, the three ISD 728 Separate Site programs are located at the following locations:

• Journey
  • Serves students grades K - 6
  • Located at Meadowvale Elementary
• Focus
  • Serves students grades 7-12
  • Located at VandenBerge Middle School
• Compass
  • Serves students 18-22 
  • Located at the District Office
  • Some 18-22 students will continue to be programmed at their neighborhood high school