Special Education | 504
Every Student. Every Opportunity.
At Art & Science Academy (ASA), we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed. Our Student Support Services team partners with families, teachers, and community providers to ensure students receive the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and specialized supports they need to thrive.
Whether your child requires classroom interventions, accommodations under Section 504, special education services, or additional behavioral supports, our goal is to provide individualized services that help every student reach their full potential.
Student Support Framework
ASA uses a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to provide timely assistance based on each student’s needs. Support is flexible and responsive, meaning students may move between tiers as their needs change over time.
Tier 1 – Universal Supports
All students receive:
- High-quality classroom instruction
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
- Social-emotional learning
- Universal academic screening
- Schoolwide behavioral expectations
Tier 2 – Targeted Supports
Students needing additional assistance may receive:
- Small-group interventions
- Reading and math intervention
- Check-In/Check-Out supports
- Behavior interventions
- Progress monitoring
Tier 3 – Intensive Supports
Students with significant academic, behavioral, or functional needs may receive:
- Individualized interventions
- Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs)
- Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
- Section 504 accommodations
- Special education evaluation and services
Child Find
Art & Science Academy participates in Minnesota’s Child Find system, a statewide process designed to identify, locate, and evaluate children and youth from birth through age 21 who may have disabilities and require special education services.
Anyone may make a referral, including:
- Parents or guardians
- Teachers
- Physicians
- Childcare providers
- Community agencies
Parents or guardians may request a comprehensive special education evaluation at any time by contacting Student Services or the school principal. Once written parental consent is received, the school follows all evaluation timelines established under Minnesota law.
If you have concerns about your child’s development, academic progress, communication, behavior, social-emotional development, or functional skills, we encourage you to contact the school. Early identification and intervention help ensure students receive the support they need to be successful.
Request an Evaluation
Parents or guardians may request a comprehensive special education evaluation at any time. Requests should be made in writing to Student Services or the school principal. Once written consent is received, the school follows all timelines established under Minnesota law.
Special Education Services
Special education provides specially designed instruction and related services for students who qualify under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Services may include:
- Specialized instruction
- Speech-language services
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- School psychological services
- School social work
- Behavioral supports
- Adaptive physical education
- Assistive technology
Eligibility is determined through a comprehensive evaluation completed by a multidisciplinary team.
Section 504 Accommodations
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that protects qualified students with disabilities from discrimination and ensures they have equal access to educational programs, services, and activities.
Students who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities may be eligible for accommodations and supports under Section 504. Unlike special education services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 provides accommodations that help students access learning and participate fully in the school environment.
Examples of accommodations may include:
- Extended testing time
- Preferential seating
- Health accommodations
- Organizational supports
- Classroom modifications
- Accessibility supports
Parents or guardians who believe their child may qualify for a Section 504 Plan are encouraged to contact Student Services to discuss the referral and evaluation process.
IEP vs. Section 504
| Individualized Education Program (IEP) | Section 504 Plan |
|---|---|
| Governed by IDEA | Governed by Section 504 |
| Special education services | Classroom accommodations |
| Specialized instruction | Equal access |
| Requires IDEA eligibility | Requires qualifying disability |
| Annual IEP meetings | Periodic review meetings |
Parent Rights
Families are essential partners in every student’s educational journey. At Art & Science Academy, we value collaboration with parents and guardians and recognize their important role in planning, supporting, and advocating for their child’s education.
Parents have the right to:
- Participate in educational planning
- Request evaluations
- Receive Prior Written Notice
- Review educational records
- Request independent educational evaluations (when applicable)
- Access mediation and due process procedures
- Receive Procedural Safeguards
Parent Resources
- Minnesota Procedural Safeguards Notice (Ages 3–21) – Explains the rights of parents and students under IDEA, including evaluations, IEPs, prior written notice, mediation, due process, and confidentiality.
- Minnesota Parent Rights Under IDEA – Family-friendly guidance explaining special education rights, dispute resolution options, and educational records.
- Minnesota Section 504 Information – Information about Section 504 eligibility, accommodations, and protections for students with disabilities.
- PACER Center (Minnesota Parent Training & Information Center) – Free resources, workshops, and advocacy support for families of children with disabilities.
Restrictive Procedures Plan
Art & Science Academy is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment through proactive behavioral supports, positive interventions, and de-escalation strategies. The school works to prevent behaviors from escalating by implementing evidence-based practices that promote student success and well-being.
Restrictive procedures are used only in emergency situations involving an imminent risk of physical harm and only as permitted under Minnesota law.
The school’s Restrictive Procedures Plan includes:
- Positive behavioral interventions and supports
- Approved restrictive procedures authorized by Minnesota law
- Staff training in prevention, de-escalation, and safe intervention techniques
- Procedures for documentation, parent notification, and post-incident debriefing
- Monitoring and quarterly oversight of restrictive procedure use
- Ongoing review and continuous improvement efforts to minimize the need for restrictive procedures
→ View the Restrictive Procedures Plan
Total Special Education System (TSES)
The Total Special Education System (TSES) describes how Art & Science Academy delivers, manages, and monitors special education services in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Minnesota Statutes, and Minnesota Department of Education requirements.
The TSES outlines the school’s policies, procedures, and practices for identifying, evaluating, and serving students with disabilities, ensuring that all eligible students receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
The TSES Manual includes information on:
- Child Find and referral procedures
- Comprehensive evaluations and eligibility determination
- Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
- Section 504 coordination
- Parent participation and procedural safeguards
- Due process and dispute resolution
- Service delivery and compliance monitoring
- Staff qualifications and training
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I request a special education evaluation?
- Does my child need a medical diagnosis to receive services?
- How long does the evaluation process take?
- Who participates in an IEP meeting?
- Can my child receive only speech-language services?
- How often are IEPs reviewed?
- Can I request a Section 504 evaluation?
- What if I disagree with the school’s decision?
How do I request a special education evaluation?
Does my child need a medical diagnosis to receive services?
How long does the evaluation process take?
Who participates in an IEP meeting?
Can my child receive only speech-language services?
How often are IEPs reviewed?
Can I request a Section 504 evaluation?
What if I disagree with the school’s decision?
State & Community Resources
- Minnesota Department of Education – Special Education
- Minnesota Department of Education – Section 504
- PACER Center
Need Assistance?
We understand that navigating special education and Section 504 services can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our Student Services team is here to help answer questions, explain the evaluation procedures and eligibility process, discuss available supports, and connect families with additional resources.
If you have concerns about your child’s academic progress, development, behavior, or need assistance understanding your rights or available services, please contact us. We are committed to working collaboratively with families to support every student’s success.
Contact Student Services
Melissa Erickson
Director of Student Services
Art & Science Academy
Phone: 763-444-0342
Email: melissa.erickson@artandscienceacademy.k12.mn.us
Questions regarding special education, Section 504, evaluations, accommodations, or student supports are welcome.
Notice: This webpage is intended to provide general information about Student Support Services at Art & Science Academy. In the event of any conflict between this webpage and applicable federal or Minnesota law, or official school policies, the applicable law or policy shall govern.