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Learning Support Services

ABOUT: Learning Support Services (LSS)

Flint Community Schools Learning Support Services Beliefs Banner

Our Beliefs

  • The education of all students, including those with disabilities, is the shared responsibility of the educational community, families and students.

  • Qualified staff are held accountable for maintaining high expectations for all students, including those with disabilities.

  • Our focus is on improved outcomes for all students and on increased capacity for both general and special education to meet the individual teaching and learning needs for learners with diverse needs.

     

Flint Community Schools Learning Support Services Mission Banner

Our Mission

To provide specialized instruction and/or services in the least restrictive environment, with improved academic, behavioral, and post-secondary scholar outcomes and fiscal responsibility.

Flint Community Schools Learning Support Services Goal Banner

Our Goals

To increase the number of students with disabilities spending 80% of their day in the general education classroom.

We look forward to partnering with you on this journey of educational empowerment and inclusion.

Scholar Using Technology to Learn

Flint Community Schools Early Childhood Developmental Delay

Declaration Statement
Procedural Safeguards Notice
Child Find Requirements under IDEA
ECSE School Year Calendar

In keeping with state and federal laws, no child with a particular need can be denied an education because of the nature or the severity of their disability. Learning Support Services serves scholars from birth to age 26, as these laws require. The department offers various mandated programs and services for students with disabilities. It provides complete and individual evaluation by certified and highly qualified psychologists, social workers, speech therapists, and other ancillary staff for any student with a disability.

  • School social workers direct interventions with students, families, and the educational community and act as advocates for scholars with special needs.

  • School psychologists are trained to administer psychological tests, interpret the results, and make recommendations regarding eligibility for programs and services. They are instrumental in suggesting interventions and providing assistance in monitoring the progress of teachers and scholars.

MI-ACCESS is the alternate assessment program developed by the Michigan Department of Education to assess scholars with disabilities who require an alternate assessment and/or accommodation as determined by their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Continuum of Services provides a variety of programs and settings to meet the individual needs of eligible students. Special Education categories include cognitive impairment, hearing impairment, early childhood developmental delays, and emotional impairment.

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) formerly Early Childhood Developmental Delay (ECDD)

Through a blend of specialized instruction, therapeutic interventions, and inclusive activities, we aim to foster a love of learning, enhance developmental milestones, and ensure a smooth transition into kindergarten. Together, we are committed to building a foundation of success for our youngest learners, empowering them to overcome obstacles and thrive in their educational journey. Join us in making a difference in the lives of our children. Every step forward is a step towards a brighter future. #FlintStrong #EarlyLearning #InclusiveEducation

Transition Planning

Transition planning is the process of preparing a student for the completion of his/her school program and moving into adulthood. This planning begins at age fourteen and continues until graduation.

Certified Classroom Teachers for Students with Disabilities

Highly qualified, certified teachers of students with disabilities provide both push-in and pull-out services to ensure that students receive specialized instruction, as well as access to the general education curriculum, to successfully progress toward meeting their IEP goals and objectives.

Each district must declare which process they will use to identify students with a specific learning disability. Flint Community Schools has chosen to use the Patterns of Strengths and Weakness to identify students with a Specific Learning Disability. The Michigan Department of Education has issued further guidance through the OSEP 11-07 memo.

Early Childhood Special Education Logo

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) is a program for children ages 3–5 with disabilities that provides specialized instruction and support: 

  • Eligibility

    Children may be eligible for ECSE if they have concerns about their communication, social/emotional, fine motor, or gross motor skills. 

  • Services

    ECSE services can include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social work. 

  • Settings

    ECSE services can be provided in a variety of settings, including pre-kindergarten classrooms, homes, and community settings. 

  • Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)

    ECSE teachers and professional staff work with parents to develop IEPs to meet each child's unique needs. 

  • Free and appropriate public education (FAPE)

    Eligible children are entitled to receive FAPE in the least restrictive environment (LRE). 

Brownell STEM Academy Early Childhood

Flint Community Schools Early Childhood Programs

At Flint Community Schools, our Early Childhood Programs are dedicated to fostering the whole child's growth. We believe that supporting the development of all learning domains—physical, social/emotional, and cognitive—is essential to ensuring that our youngest scholars embark on their educational journeys in a positive, nurturing environment. Through robust early childhood experiences, we lay the foundation for lifelong learning and success.

Our programs prioritize a scholar support system that addresses the whole child's needs. Ongoing collaboration with community partners ensures that families have access to the comprehensive services and providers they need. We understand that scholars who are healthy—physically, socially, and emotionally—are best positioned to excel, and we work tirelessly to provide the necessary social-emotional and behavioral support.

In alignment with our strategic vision, we are committed to creating 21st-century classrooms that offer cognitively stimulating, age-appropriate learning environments. With recent upgrades and renovations, our scholars benefit from the latest in educational technology and infrastructure, promoting academic excellence from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

Central to our mission is the development of a premier Early Childhood Center within Brownell Elementary. This inclusive, state-of-the-art facility fosters a smooth transition between grade levels, enhancing academic outcomes, positive behaviors, and student retention. Our strategic plan emphasizes seamless transitions, strong home-school connections, and a commitment to cradle-to-career readiness.

For more information, click the button below.

Brownell STEM Early Childhood