Specialized Instruction

Otsego 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, and to be educated in the general education setting unless otherwise determined through their Individualized Education Plan.
Otsego Public Schools offers programs and services that meet the needs of students with low-incidence disabilities, as well as students who have more significant disabilities.
Our district utilizes a multi-tiered system of supports and interventions. We employ a school psychologist, school social workers, an occupational therapist, speech and language pathologists, an inclusion specialist, 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 and life experience possible.

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.

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

Levels of Specialized Instruction

Otsego Public Schools provides support to students with IEPs within a level system. Level Programming is designed to provide specialized instruction based on individual student needs, rather than areas of eligibility alone.

Level 1 Services

Level 1 Services

Students who exhibit independence across environments may be provided Level 1 Programming Support when present level and evaluation data shows evidence that instruction in general education is not happening naturally AND the student exhibits a need for direct instructional support in the state standards in order to make progress. Supports include specialized instruction and accommodations aligned to state standards provided in the general education environment, and accommodated participation in state and district assessments aligned to State Standards.

Level 2 Services

Level 2 Services

Students who exhibit a need for ongoing support across environments may be provided Level 2 Programming Support when present level and evaluation data shows evidence that instruction in general education is not happening naturally and the student exhibits a need for alternative teaching and alternate achievement standards in order to make progress.

Students receiving Level 2 support may receive instruction aligned to state standards and/or alternate achievement standards and usually receive a certificate of completion.

Level 3 Services

Level 3 Services

Students who exhibit a need for extensive ongoing support across environments may be provided Level 3 programming when present level and evaluation data shows evidence that instruction in general education is not happening naturally and the student exhibits a need for modified standards and an alternate environment which may be largely self-contained or center based in order to make progress.