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Special Education
Merced City School District follows federal and state laws and regulations for students with disabilities through Special Education, Section 504 and Individual Health Plans. The district provides special education programs and services to all eligible students based on students' needs and as described in the Individual Education Plans. These programs and services are provided at most district schools, but depending on age and disability, the student may be served at specific sites including programs operated through the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) operated by the Merced County Office of Education. District special education staff consists of highly qualified and certificated Resource Specialist and assistants, Special Day Class teachers and assistants, Adaptive Physical Education Teacher, Teacher on Special Assignment for Special Education and Autism, Speech Therapists, Psychologists, and the Director.
Preschool Specialist Program
Merced City School District provides preschool special education programs and services for all students who qualify according to federal and state laws and regulations. Preschool students attending any of the district’s preschools receive their assessments, programs and services from site, district and SELPA staff in the same manner as all other school age students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Students in private preschools, county preschools and those not in any preschool receive their assessment and services through the district Preschool Specialist Program (PSP). The district’s PSP office and classroom is located at Burbank Elementary School. The district’s PSP is staffed with a preschool Resource Specialist and assistant, a Speech Therapist and a Psychologist. Preschool students, suspected of a disabling condition, are considered through a Student Study Team process. Students not attending a district preschool would be referred to the district’s Preschool Student Assessment Team (PSAT) for consideration for assessment and services. The PSAT meets the first Monday of the month at the district office.
Speech Services
The District provides speech therapy services at each of the district’s eighteen school sites as well as to private schools within the district. Speech therapists provide speech and language screening and consultative services as needed at the school sites for preschool through eighth grade. For students being considered for a Speech/Language Impairment such as articulation, voice fluency and language disorders, therapists provide the assessments to determine eligibility. Therapy is provided according to the student’s Individual Education Plan for eligible students.
Psychological Services
School Psychologists are assigned to all district schools. They provide assessment and consultative services for students and staff and are the schools’ Section 504 Coordinators. The school psychologists provide the sites with expertise in implementing special education laws and regulations. They work collaboratively with teachers, administrators and parents in providing the best possible plans for students requiring academic and behavioral interventions and services.
Adaptive Physical Education Services
Adaptive Physical Education (APE) services is provided to students who cannot safely or successfully participate in the vigorous activities of the general physical education program. Students who qualify for APE are served at their own schools and most often within their regular physical education classes. The APE teacher provides both direct and consultative services depending on the student’s needs which may be individually, in small groups or within an entire classroom setting.
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About MCSD 
