Pasco School District: Staying Steady with Online Special Education
Case Study
Discover how the Pasco School District in Washington revolutionized its special education and student support services through eLuma’s virtual therapy solutions. This case study explores how Pasco addressed service shortages, improved compliance, and ensured students received high-quality support.
About Pasco School District
Pasco School District serves over 18,000 students across 24 schools in southeastern Washington. With a diverse student population, over 70 percent Hispanic and a significant number of English Language Learners, Pasco prioritizes equity in education. The district remains dedicated to providing innovative solutions to support all students, including those requiring special education services.
Table of Contents
When Pasco School District faced ongoing shortages in speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and school psychologists, they turned to eLuma for virtual therapy services. With a high demand for assessments and interventions, the district needed a flexible, scalable solution to support its growing student population.
“We were struggling to keep up with the increasing need for evaluations and ongoing therapy sessions. eLuma provided a seamless way to expand our capacity without compromising quality.”
eLuma’s licensed professionals integrated with Pasco’s existing teams, providing consistent therapy sessions and participating in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. This collaboration helped alleviate the burden on district-employed staff while ensuring students received timely and effective support.
The Impact: Compliance, Efficiency, and Student Success
The introduction of eLuma’s virtual therapy services has led to significant improvements in Pasco School District:
Reducing Evaluation Backlogs: The district significantly cut down overdue student evaluations, ensuring timely interventions.
Improving Compliance and Documentation: eLuma therapists work within Pasco’s student information systems, streamlining record-keeping and compliance.
Enhancing Student Engagement: Many students responded positively to the interactive tools used in virtual sessions, making therapy more engaging and effective.
“We no longer have to worry about months-long delays in service. eLuma’s efficiency has allowed us to focus on what matters most: student success.”
Expanding Virtual Services for a Brighter Future
Pasco School District plans to maintain and potentially expand its partnership with eLuma. Leaders are also exploring ways to incorporate virtual therapists into professional development initiatives, enhancing collaboration between virtual and in-person staff.
For districts considering virtual therapy services, Pasco’s experience highlights the importance of strategic implementation and funding exploration. By utilizing Medicaid and special education funding sources, the district has been able to sustain high-quality services without financial strain.