Along with other programs throughout the city, Lowell Elementary School on Capitol Hill has been recommended to close as the school district assesses a $24 million deficit in its 2009 budget. As a result, the 29 students in Lowell's special education curriculum could be transitioned into new programs closer to their homes.

The district's reasoning behind their recommendation is two-fold. For one, the district hopes to encourage more neighborhood schools, in which a higher percentage of students attending the school live in the close community.

Lowell is home to two different programs: the Accelerated Progress Program for advanced students and Special Education for students with developmental disabilities, sensory impairments and severe orthopedic handicaps.

Currently, Lowell is a choice school that draws students from across the city, including West Seattle. The district has estimated that it would cost $703,000 to provide transportation for Lowell students during the 2009-2010 school year. Transferring students into programs closer to their residence would likely eliminate some of this cost.

Every public elementary school in West Seattle, with the exception of Pathfinder K-8, includes a self-contained special education program.

Secondly, state law requires that students in special education programs have the opportunity to interact with students in general education. At Lowell, children who have special needs are often paired up with children in the Accelerated Progress Program. However, the district says that having only two specialized programs is still illegal.

Michelle Coker-Curray, a staff member of Seattle Public Schools who has worked in special education for over 20 years, explained that by interacting with students in general education children with special needs can learn common social mannerisms and develop life-long friendships.

She also emphasized that students transferring out of Lowell would receive individual attention to ensure that all of their needs were met at a local school.

In compliance with the Disabilities Education Act, a team of professionals will work with each student to develop an Individualized Education Program and determine which school best meets their needs.

"There are incredible educators across the city that care and love the children at Lowell and will do everything possible to make sure they are success in their new schools settings," said Coker-Curray.

Nonetheless, because Lowell is a choice school, many parents see the program as a better fit than their local schools. Lowell offers a high number of teaching assistants, unrestrictive settings and morning, afternoon and extended day preschool programs.

Perhaps what is most recognized at Lowell is the school's unusually vast physical, occupational and speech language therapy opportunities.

"We have a staff that works together as a team to meet the needs of our students," said Dewanda Cook-Weaver, principal of Special Education at Lowell.

Measuring the quality of their building, Lowell only scored 53.72 out of one hundred, but some aspects of the facilities are ideal for special education. The building has elevators and especially wide hallways, making it easy for students in wheel chairs to move through the school.

For more information on recent recommendations for school closures, please visit http://www.seattleschools.org/area/capacity/index.dxml.