Allegan Public Schools is committed to providing a continuum of special education programs and services for students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP), appropriate to meet the individual needs of students and offered in the least restrictive environment. Our special education programs and services are designed to provide students with IEPs the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers to be educated in the general education setting, unless otherwise determined through their Individualized Education Plan.

Our district services students ages 2½ through 26 years of age who are enrolled and eligible for special education services. Those students have several options to meet their educational needs. Families with children under the age of 2 ½ who are interested in special education services need to contact the Allegan Area Educational Service Agency Early On Department at (269) 512-7700.

Allegan Public Schools collaborates with the Allegan Area Educational Service Agency (AAESA) to offer programs and services to meet the needs of students with low-incidence disabilities, as well as students who have more significant disabilities.

As part of that collaboration, our staff establishes cooperative liaisons with other professionals and community agencies who may be potential referral sources. Examples of professionals and community agencies include–but are not limited to–the following:

• Community resources including the Allegan County Directory and organizations intended to support individuals with disabilities or their families like The ARC of Allegan County.
• Facilities and services for incarcerated and/or adjudicated youth and young adults, including Allegan County Jail, Allegan Youth Home and Cheever Treatment Center.
• Area hospitals, healthcare agencies, health care clinics and other health care providers.
• Community agencies including the Allegan County Health Department, Department of Health and Human Services, and Allegan County Community Mental Health.
• Childcare and preschool programs including Head Start, Great Start Readiness Program, and local private centers.
• Parent organizations including Help Me Grow Allegan, the Allegan Area ESA Parent Advisory Committee, and Michigan Alliance for Families

Our district utilizes a multi-tiered system of interventions. We employ school psychologists, school social workers, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, and special education teachers to support student needs.

Improving the educational outcomes for students with IEPs is an essential component of ensuring community participation, independent living, economic self-sufficiency, and further education. The goal of our special education programs and services is to assist students with an IEP in their efforts to achieve the most meaningful and productive educational experience possible.

Our professional staff look forward to working with caregivers of students to support a high-quality, research-based education for all students with IEPs.