Special Education

What is Special Education?

Special education is specially designed instruction and related services provided to meet the unique learning needs of students with disabilities. In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004, these services are delivered in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and are provided at no cost to students or their families.

At The Next Step Public Charter School (PCS), we believe every student deserves equitable access to high-quality instruction, individualized supports, and meaningful opportunities that lead to success beyond high school. Our Special Education program is designed to support students academically, socially, emotionally, and in their transition to postsecondary education, careers, and independent living.

Our Special Education Service Model

Students who are eligible for special education services, including those with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan, receive comprehensive and individualized support primarily through an inclusive classroom model within general education settings.

Our services include:

  • Specialized instruction aligned to individual IEP goals

  • Classroom accommodations and instructional modifications

  • In-house counseling and social-emotional supports

  • Small-group and individualized interventions

  • Ongoing progress monitoring and collaborative planning

We emphasize access, independence, and growth, ensuring students receive the support they need while developing the skills required for long-term success.

Student Success Highlights & Postsecondary Outcomes

At The Next Step PCS, our Special Education program is rooted in the belief that disability does not limit potential—and our students’ outcomes reflect this commitment.

Students receiving special education services have successfully:

  • Graduated from The Next Step PCS

  • Enrolled in postsecondary institutions, including the University of the District of Columbia (UDC)

  • Secured employment while enrolled in college, with assisted guidance and continued support from Special Education staff

  • Transitioned into career training programs, workforce opportunities, and independent living pathways

Our Special Education team remains engaged in supporting students even after they transition into postsecondary education, assisting with skill development, self-advocacy, and navigating academic and workplace expectations when appropriate. This continuity of support ensures students are prepared to succeed beyond high school.

Alignment With Special Education Transition Procedures

These outcomes are directly aligned with IDEA transition planning requirements, which focus on preparing students for:

  • Postsecondary education and training

  • Employment and career readiness

  • Independent living skills, when appropriate

Beginning no later than age 16 (and often earlier), students’ IEPs include measurable postsecondary goals supported by:

  • Transition-focused instruction and services

  • Career exploration and postsecondary planning

  • Work-based learning experiences and career-aligned field trips

  • Community partnerships and vocational exposure opportunities

Transition planning at The Next Step PCS is not a one-time event—it is an intentional, ongoing process that evolves as students grow academically and personally.

Academic Growth Across Learning Levels

Students at The Next Step PCS demonstrate tremendous academic and functional growth through the comprehensive support of Special Education services delivered both in and out of the classroom.

Through:

  • Differentiated instruction across multiple learning levels

  • Inclusive classroom supports and co-planning

  • Targeted interventions and skill-building

  • Social-emotional and executive functioning supports

Students are able to:

  • Strengthen foundational academic skills

  • Increase confidence and independence

  • Progress successfully through the instructional levels of our program

  • Meet individualized goals and achieve meaningful academic milestones

Our Special Education team works collaboratively with general education teachers, counselors, and families to ensure students receive consistent, aligned, and student-centered support.

Referral Process for Special Education Services

Teachers and Case Managers receive professional development at the beginning of each school year on identifying academic, behavioral, and social-emotional concerns. Observations are documented in our internal student database.

The Student Support Team (SST) meets bi-weekly to review concerns and implement Response to Intervention (RTI) strategies for up to 60 days. If a student does not demonstrate adequate progress, a referral for a comprehensive psychological evaluation is initiated and completed within 30 days, in accordance with compliance timelines.

As a Local Education Agency (LEA), The Next Step PCS also provides comprehensive services for:

  • Students enrolling with an existing IEP or 504 Plan

  • Students who self-identify or are identified as needing additional academic support

Student Assessment and Evaluation

Eligibility for special education services is determined through a comprehensive and individualized process that may include:

  • Student interviews

  • Classroom observations and work samples

  • Standardized assessments

  • Needs screening tools

  • Comprehensive psychological evaluations

All eligibility determinations are made collaboratively and in compliance with federal and local regulations.

Home and Hospital Instruction

The Home and Hospital Instruction Program (HHIP) supports students whose education is interrupted due to a physical disability or health impairment resulting in home confinement or hospitalization for three weeks or longer.

This service:

  • Must be requested by the student’s school

  • Requires certification from the student’s physician

  • Provides instruction that is responsive to medical and health-related needs

  • Maintains continuity of learning aligned with the student’s home school

The goal of HHIP is to support students’ academic progress while prioritizing health and well-being.

Please find the TNS Home and Hospital Instruction Policy linked here.

Contact Us

For more information about Special Education services at The Next Step PCS, please contact:

Marquise Anderson
Special Education Coordinator
marquise@nextsteppcs.org
202-319-2249 (Select 3, then choose 4)