Process for Determining the Existence of a Specific Learning Disability

The Michigan Department of Education issued a memorandum dated May 14, 2010 in which they directed all schools to meet their requirement to make public the processes they will be using to determine the existence of a specific learning disability.

Consistent with this requirement, Charlevoix Public Schools reports the following:

District Process for Determination of a Specific Learning Disability (SLD):

Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses Process:

The district uses a Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses Process for the determination of a Specific Learning Disability for all buildings and all grades in the district and includes the following:

1. The student does not achieve adequately for the student's age or to meet State-approved grade-level standards in one or more of the areas identified at 34 CFR § 300.309(a)(1)(i) when provided with learning experiences and instruction appropriate for the student's age or State-approved grade-level standards; and
   
   
2. The student exhibits a pattern of strengths and weaknesses in performance, achievement, or both, relative to age, State-approved grade-level standards, or intellectual development, that is determined by the MET to be relevant to the identification of a SLD, using appropriate assessments, consistent with the IDEA Evaluation Procedures and Additional Requirements for Evaluations and Reevaluations.