Katharine Melendez
Special Education Director
(520)741-7900 ext. 507
Email: Katharine.melendez@southgateaz.org
Michele Felix
Chief Academic Administrator
(520)741-7900 ext. 760
Email: Mfelix@southgateaz.org
We provide a full continuum of services to address the needs of students in resource classes and general education classes. We also provide a social skills class and workplace skills class, to address the needs of the whole student. Special education services are provided in the least restrictive environment and consider the individual need of the student. Our goal is for all students to become self-aware, self-advocating, and independent learners.
SPECIAL EDUCATION - Arizona Administrative Code
Special Education Process Flowchart
"Child Find" applies to children who are:
• Suspected of having a disability even though they are advancing from grade to grade
• Highly mobile, such as migrant and homeless
• Wards of the state
• Private school students
• Homeschool students
Note: Charter schools identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities within their population served who are in need of special education and related services.
What is Child Find?
Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA’04) that requires Public Education Agencies (PEA) to locate, identify, and evaluate all children with disabilities, aged birth through 21, located with in their boundaries of responsibility who are in need of early intervention or special education services.
If your child is birth to 2 years of age:
- Referral to AzEIP. Arizona Early Intervention Program at (602) 532-9960 or(888) 592-0140
If your child is between the ages of 3 and 5 years of age, prior to starting school:
- Referred to their home school district.
All Southgate enrolled students between 5 and 21 years of age will be screened by Southgate Academy.
It’s Important to Reach Children at an Early Age
When learning challenges are identified at a young age, early intervention can help the child with their development. Children who are showing difficulties with any of the following areas may have a learning challenge.
Watch for difficulties with:
• speaking/understanding vision
• hearing
• walking/running
• self-help skills
• behavior/social skills
• manipulating small objects/drawing
• cognitions/academics
If you would like to start the Child Find process:
Call Katharine Melendez or Michele Felix at (520) 741-7900. Information will be collected over the phone and documents will be emailed or mailed to you to complete.
The Special Education Team will provide appropriate and meaningful individual student plan placement in environments conducive to growth and with the assistance of well-trained, compassionate instructors who articulate with our school community the needs of the student.
Our goal is to provide educational services and opportunities that:
• Address the whole child, resulting in programs that promote a successful experience.
• Promote student growth and learning, including areas of the general curriculum and State Standards.
• Support students in moving toward an understanding of self and others.
• Appreciation for all people's unique skills, talents, and diversity.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 34 CFR § 300.11
504 plans at Southgate Academy give all students the chance at success. Being able to provide this is extremely important to our staff and teachers. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a civil rights statute designed to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities and to assure that students with disabilities have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to non-disabled students in any program offered.
A student is protected by Section 504 if he or she has had a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as disabled. Southgate Academy will provide a free, appropriate public education to all qualifying students with disabilities under the section 504.
Frequently Asked Questions About Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities
