Special Ed Student Programs

Low-Incidence, Center & Transition Programs

Kent ISD Center Programs provide individualized and supportive educational services for students with IEPs who require specialized programming. We serve students from through age 26 who reside within Kent County and its member districts. Our programs include services for students with autism, severe multiple impairments, and those who are deaf or hard of hearing. We also offer transition-focused programming at Empower U, which honors each student’s strengths, self-identified goals, and interests related to community participation, employment, and independent living.

Eligibility and placement decisions are made collaboratively through the IEP process, centering the student’s needs, preferences, and voice. In alignment with IDEA, placement in a Center Program occurs only when the IEP team determines that the student’s educational needs cannot be effectively met in the resident district, even with the use of appropriate Supplementary Aids and Services designed to support access to the general curriculum in the Least Restrictive Environment. Districts must document that they have implemented and exhausted these supports before recommending a placement in our programs.

Read our latest Center Programs Impact Report

Student Programs

Deaf/Hard of Hearing - Oral Deaf

The Oral Deaf Program serves students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH), from birth through secondary education, providing instruction for students to become independent oral communicators in all environments. The Oral Deaf Program also provides audiological services to families in order for children to have optimal access to sound.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing - Total Communication

The Total Communication Program provides access and instruction in American Sign Language, spoken English, or a combination of both to ensure that every deaf and hard-of-hearing student develops a full language and can gain a meaningful education.

Kent Educational Center - Beltline

KEC Beltline serves students 9th grade through 26 years old. KEC Beltline is a dual program for students with persistent behavioral concerns offering a high school diploma as well as preparing them for transition into adult life and employment.

Kent Educational Center - Oakleigh

KEC Oakleigh serves students K-8 who have significant emotional impairments and persistent behavioral concerns. The goal is to teach coping skills and strategies that will allow students to self-regulate their behaviors and transition back to their local school program.

Lincoln Developmental Center

Lincoln Developmental Center is part of the Lincoln Campus continuum and serves students Kindergarten through age 26 whose needs are in the areas of severe multiple impairment, cognitive impairment, and autism spectrum disorder. Lincoln Campus serves students from the northern, central and eastern sides of Kent County.

Lincoln School

Lincoln School is part of the Lincoln Campus continuum and serves students Kindergarten through age 26 whose needs are in the areas of severe multiple impairment, cognitive impairment, and autism spectrum disorder. Lincoln Campus serves students from the northern, central and eastern sides of Kent County.

Pine Grove Learning Center

Pine Grove serves students with special needs who have moderate to severe cognitive impairments, are severely multiply impaired, or have autism from Kindergarten through age 26. Pine Grove serves students from the south western side of Kent County.

Empower U

Empower U provides instructional opportunities to meet young adults’ postsecondary goals in the areas of independent living, employment, and community participation. All young adults are provided opportunities to practice and learn skills at job sites and in the community.