George-Little Rock, IA: District adds program for elem students with severe autism

Nov 5, 2026, Sheldon, IA: George-Little Rock introduces new special education program | News | nwestiowa.com

LITTLE ROCK—The George-Little Rock School District recently introduced a Level 3 special education program to meet the needs of elementary students in Little Rock with autism and special needs.

Kim Dykstra, an elementary teacher in the district who works in the program, said it’s mostly students who aren’t at the same level as general education students.

“They get a lot of that instruction in math, reading, writing, any kind of academics,” she said. “We hit a lot of social skills too, adaptive behavior, being able to interact with peers. They just need to be pulled out and work on that more than the other students so that’s kind of what we do here.”

Much of Level 3 special education students’ academics are done in the special education room while their other nonacademic classes and activities like PE, music, lunch and recess are with their general education classmates.

Dykstra said Level 3 students also join general education classes for some academic subjects. . . .

Level 3 special education is available to kids who need it in every grade throughout elementary school. Dykstra said the program serves seven students in first through fifth grade, but future students with special needs in kindergarten through fifth grade will be served. . . .