The Sioux Falls School District is committed to educating and preparing each student to succeed in a changing world. We firmly believe every student can learn to high levels and we are committed to providing quality special education and related services to help students achieve this goal. 

Special Education and related services are provided to eligible students with disabilities from birth to age 21. These services are embedded within our schools and designed to meet each student’s unique educational needs as identified in their Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individual Education Program (IEP). Every effort is made to maintain students in their neighborhood settings with their age-appropriate peers in the least restrictive environment. 

Special Education in the Sioux Falls School District is determined by a collaborative team and will include specially designed instruction or related services which enable our students to make educational growth as engaged learners. Parents are active participants in the collaborative planning process, and assist teams at all stages of the IEP process, including the development of the IEP.

If you are moving to the Sioux Falls School District and have a child who has received special education services in their previous district, it is helpful to have available a copy of your child’s most recent evaluation report and IEP. The IEP team at your child’s home school will then work with you to request educational records from the previous district,  verify services your child received, identify the necessary steps to determine continued eligibility for special education, and, if appropriate, develop a plan to meet the unique learning needs of your child. 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 requires states to have in place a State Performance Plan (SPP) that evaluates the State's efforts to implement the requirements and purposes of IDEA and describes how the State will improve student performance/achievement. The State reports to the public these results annually. The South Dakota Department of Education provides information to each South Dakota school district about their performance on the 16 indicators.