DLA SPECIAL SERVICES

Dayton Leadership Academies is committed to ensuring that every student has the support they need to succeed. Our Special Services team works closely with families and staff to provide individualized instruction, interventions, and accommodations that meet each learner’s unique needs. Through collaboration and care, we help students reach their full potential — academically, socially, and emotionally.

Overview of Special Services at DLA

We provide a wide range of individualized supports and interventions to meet students where they are and help them succeed in both academic and social-emotional learning.

  • The vision for special education at DLA is to ensure that all students, including students with or at risk for disabilities, receive the individualized support needed to be successful in the general education curriculum. DLA provides comprehensive services and instruction for students with or at risk for disabilities under IDEA. Services are provided in both the inclusion and pull out setting to accommodate individual student needs.

    Below are some of the many services offered at DLA:

    • Individualized interventions for all students who are below grade level in reading and math

    • In-house counseling through Thrive Therapeutics

    • Related services including speech and occupational therapy

    • When a student is enrolled for the first time in either kindergarten or first grade, the student must be screened for hearing, vision, speech and communications, and health or medical problems for any development disorders.

  • Special education programming at DLA is structured to provide specialized instruction, support, and related services to students with disabilities based on a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) in accordance with IDEA and the Ohio Operating Standards.

    An integral part of DLA’s mission is to promote the inclusion of students with special needs in general education classrooms and activities in order to provide high quality instruction to all students. To meet this goal, DLA is committed to:

    • Making every student the responsibility of every staff member.

    • Using the best pedagogical practices for the benefit of all students.

    • Involving families as essential partners on the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT).

    • Implementing accommodations and modifications, related services, and supplementary aids as needed for students with special needs.

    • Adhering to special education regulations and requirements at all times.

    • Aligning IEP goals with the general education curriculum to ensure access, authenticity, and relevance.

    • Educating students in the LRE, removing them from the general education setting only when doing so is necessary to provide appropriate instruction.

    In Ohio, “A Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education” (2017) serves as the procedural safeguards notice. Dayton Leadership Academies will provide the parents/guardians of a child with a disability a copy of this guide at the time of referral or request for evaluation once a year, and at the request of a parent/guardian. Please contact the Special Education Coordinator or Principal to request a copy. 

  • DLA has a partnership with Thrive Therapeutics to offer school-based mental health programming for children in need of behavioral and mental health services. Mental health therapy provides students with a safe, comfortable place for them to learn and build the skills necessary to be successful in the school setting.

  • DLA is committed to providing equal access to education for all students. We follow Section 504 guidelines to ensure that no student with a disability faces discrimination or barriers to learning.

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in any program receiving federal financial assistance. The Act defines a person with a disability as anyone who:

    • has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities (such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeking, hearing, breathing, learning)

    • has a record of such an impairment, or

    • is regarded as having such impairment. [34 CFR 104.3(j)]

    In order to fulfill obligations under Section 504, Dayton Leadership Academies is responsible for nondiscrimination in policies and practices regarding its personnel and learners. No discrimination against any person with a disability shall knowingly be permitted in any of the programs and practices of the Dayton Leadership Academies.

Child Find

Child Find is the process of identifying and evaluating children with disabilities who may need special education and related services. Both state and local education agencies are given the responsibility by federal and state law to conduct Child Find activities so that children who need special services have the opportunity to receive those services. Parents, teachers, public and private agency employees, and concerned citizens are used to help Dayton Leadership Academies find any child who may have a disability and needs special education and related services. If you are aware of a child who may have special needs, please notify a DLA staff member.