See below for some of the ESS Programs
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) identifies Assistive Technology into two broad categories: Assistive Technology Devices and Assistive Technology Services. An Assistive Technology Device is “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. An Assistive Technology Service is “any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.” AT technical services include, but are not limited to evaluation, acquisition, modification/customization, training, and technical support.
Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)
Accessible Educational Materials, or AEM, are materials and technologies usable for learning across the widest range of individual variability, regardless of format or features. Whether a material or technology is designed from the start to be accessible for all learners or is made accessible for learners with disabilities, it is considered AEM.
The Behavior Program is comprised of a team of behavioral strategists who promote effective, positive
behavioral changes in students by providing research-based strategies and interventions to students and
schools. The team conducts professional development in classroom management techniques, crisis
prevention and other related topics for the sole purpose of developing skills, replacement behaviors, and
establishing effective relationships with emotional and at-risk students. Being proactive, behavioral
strategists consult with teachers, school administrators, and staff to establish preventative, approaches to
address problematic behaviors.
Extended School Year (ESY) services are the provision of special education and related services to students with disabilities beyond the normal school year of the LEA in accordance with an IEP and at no cost to the parents of the student. Extended School Year Services are to be an extension of the regular school year program for students who have been determined to need these services to ensure the provision of FAPE.
All students with disabilities ages 3-21 (with a current evaluation and current IEP) must be screened for ESY using one or more of the ESY screening criteria. Eligibility for ESY is based on the data collection results on your selected criteria. Screening criteria selection is based on student need(s). You are required to select any criteria that apply to the student and his/her needs. This decision is made by the IEP committee at the time of the IEP meeting.
Three criteria are used to determine a student’s need for ESY services:
1) Regression-Recoupment – This criterion shall be applied to all students with significant cognitive disabilities or functions-like a student with significant cognitive disabilities at all age and grade levels, including preschool aged students.
2) Critical Point of Instruction (CPI) Criterion. This criterion shall be considered for ALL students.
3) Special Circumstances (SC) Criterion – Employment-Students ages 16-21 shall be considered for ESY services when there is documentation (i.e., job performance data) that the student is in need of support to maintain paid employment.
4) Transition from Early Steps to Part B (Preschool) – Students transitioning from Early Steps to Part B preschool services who have spring/summer birthday shall be considered for ESY services.
5) Transition to Post-school Outcomes – Students who have a transition plan and who are expected to exit the LEA at the end of the school year shall be considered for ESY services. The teacher/instructional personnel shall examine the documentation of the incomplete action steps and corresponding goals that are the responsibility of the LEA.
6) Excessive Absences – A student with a disability who has documented absences during the school year, in excess of 25 days, for health-related conditions without the provision of hospital/homebound services and who has failed to make projected progress shall be considered for ESY services.
7) Extenuating Circumstances – There may be unusual situations or circumstances when ESY services may be needed, but the student does not meet any of the eligibility criteria.
The Gifted Program is an educational program for students identified as gifted in grades PreK–12 and enrolled in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. Classes provide a high degree of complexity and extend beyond the prescribed curriculum offered in regular classes. Classes are taught by teachers certified in Gifted Education and have a reduced class size in order to individualize each student’s educational program.
The Talented Arts Program is an educational program for students identified as talented in visual arts, music or theater in grades K – 12 and enrolled in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. Classes provided in these disciplines are designed to provide experiences that enable the talented student to further develop demonstrated skills, increase discipline knowledge, and grow as an artist.
For more information visit the Gifted & Talented page.
East Baton Rouge Parish School System through the Exceptional Student Services Department provides comprehensive services for students who are Hearing Impaired. Students who have a loss of hearing which interferes with the ability to perform academically and who meet the criteria of Bulletin 1706 qualify for services. Those students may require accommodations in the classroom, interpreters, techniques, materials and/or equipment in order to be successful in the academic setting.
Students may receive services in settings ranging from consultation with regular and special education classroom teachers to special classes in a regular school setting. Placement is determined in the IEP committee. A “cluster” concept has been initiated for students who require daily services of a teacher of the hearing impaired. This concept of clustering at one site facilitates daily resource instruction to students and provides for continued utilization of experienced regular classroom teachers from year to year.
The parish provides hearing impaired students with audiological services, classroom FM systems, interpreters, and other technology to ensure success.
Comprehensive services for students who are identified as Visually Impaired are provided by the Exceptional Student Services Department of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. Students who have a loss or vision which interferes with the ability to perform academically and who meet the criteria of Bulletin 1706 qualify for services. Those students may require the use of specialized textbooks, techniques, materials and/or equipment for success in the academic environment.
Students may receive services in settings ranging from consultation with regular and special education classroom teachers to special classes in a regular school setting. Placement is determined in the IEP committee. A “cluster” concept has been initiated for students who require daily services of a teacher of the visually impaired. This concept of clustering at one site facilitates daily resource instruction to students and provides for continued utilization of experienced regular classroom teachers from year to year.
The parish provides low vision aids, Braille instruction, transcription services, Orientation & Mobility, and both hardware and software technology specific to visually impaired students.
Occupational Therapy is provided to all students identified by a multidisciplinary team as disabled and in need of OT services. This service may involve removing the student from the classroom to work individually within an environment that is set up to encourage progress toward specified goals.
Additionally, occupational therapists work with a child’s teacher, classroom aide and others that have contact with him/her on a daily basis. The therapist is familiar with the details of the child’s needs based on the results of the evaluation and goals established in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and will work with the teacher to suggest training / teaching strategies, therapeutic activities, modifications to teaching materials, classroom set up, structure or teaching methods to help him/her reach goals established by the educational team.
Physical Therapy is provided by physical therapists in the East Baton Rouge School System that work with other professionals to help students with disabilities to benefit from special education. This includes activities of a school day (i.e., moving throughout school grounds, sitting, standing in line or at the board, moving in class or through the building). All screenings, evaluations, consultations, and interventions are performed by physical therapists licensed by the state of Louisiana. Interventions may include adaptations to school environments, working with a student on motor skills, assistance with identifying and getting special equipment, and collaboration with school staff and other professionals.
Orientation and Mobility Training is a program for students who are blind or visually impaired that are trained to travel independently within the school environment and the community at large, as appropriate to student needs. This program’s main purpose is to ensure that Visually Impaired students use the senses in determining their position in relationship to surroundings and moving from a fixed position to a desired position within the environment.
Under IDEA “eligible” children with disabilities, ages 3-21, are entitled to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). The public school program for young children, ages 3-5, is called the Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD).
The Exceptional Student Services Preschool Program is a free service of the EBR Public School System. Our program is designed to serve disabled students ages three to six years old. This program offers opportunities for activities and routines, curriculum, and planning that are research-based, developmentally-appropriate, and address the Early Childhood Standards regarding the following areas of growth:
Pupil Appraisal Services provide the provision of services to students who have academic, behavioral, and/or communication challenges or other special needs which adversely impact the student’s educational performance. Services are provided to students, parents, teachers, and other school personnel.
Service delivery includes:
Licensed and/or Certified members of the multidisciplinary team composition in East Baton Rouge Parish include:
It is the mission of the Speech-Language Therapy Program to secure the highest quality personnel, resources, and materials in order to provide the highest quality of services to students with communication impairments. The Speech-Language Therapy program provides a continuum of services for communication-impaired students, including early identification, evaluation, therapy, and consultation. Speech therapy services are provided when it is documented that the student needs services to benefit from the educational program. These services are collaborative and focus on skills that promote attainment of educational objectives. Service delivery models may vary according to the needs of the student, and may include direct, consultative, and tracking/monitoring. Frequency of services is based on the student’s needs. Speech, hearing, and language services are provided for students identified according to the guidelines of the Louisiana Pupil Appraisal Bulletin 1508. Services are provided for students ages 3-21 enrolled in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. We also provide therapy for non-public speech-impaired students in a non-public setting according to the school accreditation.
Communication disorders may be exhibited by an impairment in any one or combination of the following:
Transition services are a coordinated set of activities for students with disabilities designed to improve academic and functional achievement and to facilitate the student’s transition to postsecondary life. Transition activities cover areas of Instruction/ Related Service, Community Experiences, Employment, Post school Adult Living, Functional Vocational Evaluation, and Daily Living Skills. These activities are geared towards the student’s postsecondary goals in the areas of training or education, employment, and independent living (if applicable). In the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, Transition services are addressed for students with disabilities who are 15 years of age or older.
EBRPSS’ Transition Standards:
To maximize postsecondary outcomes, the East Baton Rouge Parish Schools System ensures the following:
EBRPSS’ Transition Resources and Opportunities:
Informational Resources:
Documents to be attached: (Coming soon)
Transition and Vocational Training Partners:
Parent Resources