Director of Special Education

Jessica Edeal - jessica.edeal@cozadschools.net

Special Education Records & Administrative Assistant

Amy Mohler - amy.mohler@cozadschools.net

420 E. 14th Cozad, NE 69130

(308) 784-3381

Cozad Community Schools provides special education services to all students who are eligible between the ages of 3-21. The district employs 18 certified staff members which includes Special Education Teachers, a School Psychologist, Speech/Language Pathologists, Certified Occupational Therapist, Certified Physical Therapist, a Vision Consultant and Hearing Impaired Consultant. Cozad Schools also employs approximately 18 paraeducators district wide.

The purpose of the Student Services Department is to identify students who are eligible for and need special education services. Special programs and services are then provided to assist students in reaching their potential. All provided services must meet the requirements and specifications stated in federal and state statutes and further clarified in the Nebraska Department of Education, Rule 51.

Additionally, the Student Services Department must make assurances in the provision of these services. These assurances include confidentiality of student records, provision of students’ and parents’ due process rights, nondiscriminatory and multi-disciplinary evaluations and provision of services in the least restrictive environment or most normal setting to the maximum extent appropriate. The department also:

• Works collaboratively with ESU 10

• Provides work study student experiences for special education students

• Has Autism Support from the Regional Autism Team (ASD Network)

• Provides Transition Planning and experiences for students age 14 and older

• Collaborates with Early Developmental Network, Head Start and other community-based preschools to provide necessary Early Childhood services to identified children age 3-5.

The re-authorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004) and the updating of Rule 51 (2022), continues the commitment to ensure that all students have access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Special education categorical areas include: autism, deaf-blindness, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, orthopedic impairment, multiple disabilities, other health impairment, emotional disturbance, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment, and developmentally delayed. The foundation of IDEA is its requirement that schools develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students with a disability. The IEP requirement combines the evaluation of student progress with the achievement of specific goals. These goals are typically set by the student’s parents, school administrators and regular and special education teachers working together. Visit the Nebraska Department of Education Special Education website  for more information, including Federal Guidelines, Parent Rights and other helpful information.