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Special Education

A series on special education in Kent County. School News Network will take readers into classrooms around the area to shine a light on new approaches to teaching students with physical and mental disabilities.

Through screens and technical glitches, learning goes on

Grand Rapids Charles Honey

In a year of forced online learning, teachers themselves have had much to learn in keeping students engaged and progressing...

Kent ISD focused on improving outcomes for center-based special education students

Kent ISD James Harger

Now that Kent ISD has completed its takeover of nine center-based special education programs, Director Paul Dymowski says it’s time to focus on improving outcomes for the nearly 1,400 students enrolled in the programs...

Two programs become one, to help infants and toddlers

Special Education James Harger

The Ken-O-Sha Home Community program will fit hand-in-glove with Kent ISD’s Early On program when Grand Rapids Public Schools transfers its special education center programs to Kent ISD this summer, leaders say. Both programs serve children with impairments from birth to 3 years old...

Students learn skills the fun way: making music

Lowell Morgan Jarema

A group of Alto Elementary students took part in 10 one-hour sessions with a music therapist at the Franciscan Life Process Center, thanks to a grant from the Lowell Education Foundation...

Pine Grove Learning Center offers profoundly challenged students an opportunity to learn

Special Education James Harger

The Pine Grove Learning Center is where 103 of the most challenged special education students and their families in Southwest Kent County find unconditional acceptance. They also find an opportunity to learn and grow despite their physical and learning disabilities...

Students progress despite their impairments at Pine Grove Learning Center

All Districts James Harger

Teachers at the Pine Grove Learning Center take the long approach as they work with severely impaired students who attend the center-based program, which will transition from Grand Rapids Public Schools to Kent ISD this summer...

‘Amazing’ teachers at Pine Grove offer a beacon of hope for students like Evan

All Districts James Harger

Despite his multiple impairments, 14-year-old Evan Valdivia is learning to respond to others around him thanks to teamwork by his family and the staff at Pine Grove Learning Center...

‘We all aspire to learn more’

Grand Rapids Community College Erin Albanese

Celebrating 30 years as a post-secondary college experience in the arts and sciences, the academy serves students with education and a place to belong...

Nick Minnema – special and driven, for all the right reasons

Reading & Writing with Rademacher Tom Rademacher

The Forest Hills Transition Center student and athlete competed this month at the Special Olympics World Games half a world away – in the United Arab Emirates’ capital city of Abu Dhabi, as well as the UAE’s largest city, Dubai...

‘She’s one of us’

Special Education Erin Albanese

Her mother said she sees her daughter retaining information and communicating more and more. She wants to do things herself. ‘She wants to be little Miss Independent’...

From making meals to selling Christmas cards, students learn job skills

All Districts Gregory Chandler

Now in its 15th year, Region 1 Transition Services provides continuing education opportunities for adults, ages 18-26, with special needs in northern Kent County. The program’s goal is to help students gain employment, become involved in their local communities and lead independent lives...