The Programs

ETA: I'm moving this post down to below the last one...:) Clear as mud?

I found a generalized description of the programs on the website...My comments are in red below. These are pretty much the only programs that they will consider his placement in.

Significant Support Needs (Challenge Programs)—Grades K-12
These programs offer special education and related services for students with severe developmental delays in multiple areas, such as cognitive, speech/language, motor delays. Instruction focuses on the individual educational needs of the student guided by Expanded Benchmarks and Access skills as a foundation to the students’ IEP goals and objectives. These programs are geographically located within neighborhood schools throughout the district.

Significant Emotional Disorders (SIED) (Harley doesn't qualify for this one because his mental health diagnosis is currently psychosis NOS)
This programming is for students who may have a significant identifiable emotional disorder that affects their ability to function within a general school environment or access the general curriculum and whose academic achievement is hindered by pervasive behavioral or emotional problems. Social/emotional services are offered in a continuum of environments ranging from full access to the general education classroom to a self contained class; placement is based upon individual student need as determined by the student’s IEP.

Autism (this is the program he attended from age 19months through the end of 4th grade when they decided he didn't need that much support and moved him to the current setting -- and now he's backslid (just as I told them he would!!) -- Not only that but they ended up firing the whole teaching team at that school because many of the parents were complaining that they weren't teaching our children anything and allowing them to sit and veg!)
Programs designed to meet the educational needs of children with autism provide a structured teaching approach to learning. As with any student qualifying for special education services, the Individual Education Plan (IEP) will direct the program. Special attention is paid to skills in the following domains: communication, social, academic, daily living, independence, sensory motor, and vocational. Services to students with autism are offered in a continuum of environments ranging from full access to the general education classroom to a self-contained class; placement is based upon individual student need. Intensive early intervention is a priority.

What they are saying to me is that they are creating a program that is a combination of the Autism Program (ASD classrooms) and the Challenge Program. I would like to see it in action before I decide if it is the right placement for Harley. Do you blame me?