Mission
The special education program is dedicated to fostering an inclusive learning environment where students feel safe and open to engaging with learners from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. Our team strives to build a positive rapport with our students and their families in the pursuit of providing individualized services and support based upon their needs.
Vision
The vision of our program is to create a place where every learner belongs, contributes, and thrives through meeting students' diverse needs.
Values
The Special Education Department promotes and practices the Portola PRIDE values: Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Drive, Empathy. The Special Education Department also values Student Focused Instruction to meet learners’ individual needs, social and communication development, and development of life skills to achieve post secondary goals to be a part of the Portola and the wider Irvine community.
Team
Our Special Education team consists of School Psychologists, Education Specialists, Speech Pathologists and a Speech Pathology Assistant. Please see the right navigation pane for contact information.
Approach
The special education department believes in collaboration to meet the unique needs of our students. We strive to have our students become independent learners, learn to advocate for themselves, and work to reach their individual goals through:
• Recognizing that every student has unique needs and providing a program that meets the academic, physical, emotional, and behavioral needs of each student so each individual has equal opportunities to become a contributing member of society.
• Collaborating with all stakeholders to plan, develop, and implement individualized education plans
• Providing differentiated instruction based on each students’ individual needs.
Resources
Special Education resources for parents and learners
Irvine Adult Transition Program (IATP)
