Special Education

The UCSD Special Education Department serves approximately 750 students ages 3-21. The District partners with Heartland AEA to provide services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language.

A continuum of special education services is available to address the individual needs of students. The District also offers an early childhood preschool program tailored to support young learners with special needs. Our vision is to help all students achieve at high levels while also increasing educators’ sense of fulfillment for their profession.

Special Education Resources: 

• Iowa IDEA Information
• Procedural Safeguards Manual
• ASK Resource Center

Specialized Transportation

Parents are responsible for transporting students that are open enrolled. This applies to all students, including those with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). As a general rule, if the need for transportation is stated in the IEP as a related service, the parent is responsible for this obligation under open enrollment. (See Transportation Options For Open Enrolled Students)

A student may qualify for specialized transportation as determined by the student’s IEP team and based on the needs of the individual student.

The student’s IEP team determines what the individual student needs to access transportation. Parents do not need to complete the transportation request form if their child has specialized transportation as a service provided in the IEP.

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