Saint Louis Public Schools is committed to providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all eligible children with disabilities in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Early childhood and elementary special education services are provided for all children with disabilities, in accordance with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 

If you have concerns about your child's development in any of the following areas:

• cognitive development
• communication development
• physical development
• adaptive development
• social or emotional development
• academic achievement
• assistive technology
• sensory development

Contact Sanceria Thomas (Early Childhood Special Education) at    314-633-5370 or Julie Harwell (Dewey School Counselor) at 314-645-4845 or Julie.Harwell@slps.org 

Least Restrictive Environment

Your child with a disability should be educated, to the maximum extent appropriate, with children without disabilities. The Individualized Education Program (IEP) must first consider if your child can remain in the general education classroom and achieve his/her IEP goals and objectives with the help of supplementary aids and services. If the team agrees, this will allow your child opportunities to be with peers to the maximum extent possible. Dewey supports children with disabilities in the general education classroom, with the resource or speech/language teacher, or in a self-contained classroom with a certified teacher and teacher's aide. 

Parent Resources:

Understanding the IEP Process, for Parents

Requesting an Initial Evaluation Information and Model Letters

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Blog

Special Education Acronyms

10 Procedural Safeguards in IDEA, At a Glance

Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Special Education Website

Don't IEP Alone: A Day in Our Shoes Website

A Day in Our Shoes: IEP Assistance, Support, Parenting & More Facebook Group