Skip To Main Content

Logo Image

Logo Title

Special Programs

Supporting Every Learner

At Marshfield R-1 School District, we are committed to providing an inclusive and challenging environment where every student can thrive. We recognize that learners have diverse needs, and our Special Programs are designed to provide the right level of support and enrichment for each individual.

Special Education (IEP)

Special Education is designed for students with identified disabilities who require specially designed instruction to access the general education curriculum.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), eligible students receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This is a legally binding document tailored to the student's unique needs, outlining specific goals, specialized services (such as speech therapy or occupational therapy), and progress monitoring.

  • Goal: To provide individualized instruction that allows the student to make meaningful progress.
  • Focus: Remediation, skill-building, and specialized support.

504 Plans

A 504 Plan is rooted in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

Unlike Special Education, a 504 Plan is generally for students who can access the regular curriculum but need accommodations to ensure they have the same access to the learning environment as their peers. Common accommodations include extended time on tests, preferential seating, or the use of digital organizational tools.

  • Goal: To remove barriers to learning and ensure "leveling the playing field."
  • Focus: Accessibility and environmental adjustments.

Gifted Education: Academic Resource Classroom (ARC)

Our Academic Resource Classroom (ARC) is designed to meet the unique cognitive and social-emotional needs of students identified as gifted.

The ARC program moves beyond the standard curriculum, offering high-ability learners opportunities for deep inquiry, complex problem-solving, and creative expression. We focus on a "cluster grouping" and "pull-out" model where students can collaborate with intellectual peers on advanced projects.

  • Goal: To provide academic challenge and complexity that matches the student’s high cognitive potential.
  • Focus: Enrichment, higher-order thinking skills, and curriculum compacting.