San Dieguito Union High School District

The San Dieguito Union High School District offers a continuum of special education services for students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) that define specific goals for students to achieve using unique instructional strategies and small group instruction. These services include, but are not limited to, adaptive physical education, assistive technology, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy and counseling.

• Students who have moderate to severe disabilities attend a Regional Severely Handicapped class. The program serves students from grade seven through the post-secondary levels (ages 18 to 22). Students who participate in this program work toward a certificate of achievement. Many students spend most of their instructional day in this classroom setting, but may be mainstreamed into general education classes for portions of their school day. The District currently has 3 schools (Earl Warren Middle School, La Costa Canyon High School and Torrey Pines High School) serving the needs of students with moderate to severe disabilities.
• The Transitional Alternative Program (TAP) is a program for students who require a curriculum where there is an emphasis on functional academics, social vocational and independent living skills curriculum. Students who participate in this program work toward a Certificate of Achievement. TAP students are significantly below grade level in academic ability and adaptive behaviors. The district currently has five TAP classes (Carmel Valley Middle School, Oak Crest Middle School, La Costa Canyon High School and 2 classes at Torrey Pines High School).
• Resource Program services are offered at the middle and high school levels for students with mild to moderate disabilities. In most cases, students receive extra support in core subject areas. The delivery model would include one or more of the following courses:
  • Fundamental Level Courses are special education courses that address California content standards and are designed to provide curriculum that is parallel to the general education curriculum in a special education setting. Special education teachers provide instruction in the areas of Language Arts, Math, and Social Sciences. Fundamental level courses are offered at all of the middle school sites as well as La Costa Canyon High School and Torrey Pines High School.
  • Team-teaching is an approach in which two teachers, one special education and one general education, work together to teach all students in an inclusive classroom environment.
• Learning Center is a program for students who benefit from the general education curriculum, but require differentiated instruction and additional support due to weaknesses in the following areas: school anxiety, attention, social skills, pragmatic language, sensory deficits, transitions, and organizational skills. There are four Learning Centers in the District — Diegueno Middle School, Earl Warren Middle School, La Costa Canyon High School and Torrey Pines High School.

The Coastal Learning Academy (CLA) is a program at the middle and high school levels that serves students who are typically placed in non-public schools outside of the District. CLA is a regional program sponsored by the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education (NCCSE) Special Education Local Planning Area (SELPA). This program is considered the most restrictive in the district and most often is considered only when all other supports and services have not been successful. Students who are recommended for this program qualify for special education services and struggle with auditory processing, Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD or other similar disabilities. Class size is small, the daily routine is structured, and instructional strategies use a multi-sensory approach. This program is designed for diploma bound students. CLA is located at Canyon Crest Academy.