2161 Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students

The Board recognizes that students whose disabilities adversely impact educational performance and who require specially designed instruction can improve their educational performance when they receive special education and related services tailored to fit their needs. The district adopts the state’s full educational opportunity goal to provide students in need of special education services with a free appropriate public education.

 

Special education programs for students eligible for special education will be an integral part of the general education programs of this district, and will be operated in compliance with federal and state requirements governing special education. The district will provide a continuum of placement options, which may include services within and outside the district, depending on the student’s needs.

 

Not all students with disabilities are eligible for special education services. The needs of those students will be addressed individually and, if appropriate, the student will be provided accommodations or modifications required under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act in accordance with district policy and procedures.

 

The Board authorizes the superintendent or a designee to bind the district to a mediation or resolution agreement.

 

In order to participate in commencement exercises, students must have met the minimum criteria for graduation prior to the date of the exercise and otherwise be in good standing with their school through the commencement date. Minimum criteria for participation may be adjusted for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) whose disabilities have impacted their opportunity to accumulate credits. Each student’s IEP team will determine the student’s graduation plan, including the graduation date. Students with an IEP who have attended four years of high school and need additional time to complete IEP goals and/or credits may request participation in commencement exercises. Students with an IEP will receive a certificate of attendance until they complete their credits for graduation.

 

The district superintendent will develop and maintain special education procedures necessary to implement this policy. The policy and the procedures will be available to the public.

 

Legal References:

RCW 28A.155 Special education

RCW 28A.600.485 Restraint of students with individualized education programs or plans developed under section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 — Procedures — Definitions.

RCW 28A.600.486 District policy on use of isolation or restraint – Notice to parents and guardians of children who have individualized education programs or plans developed under section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973.

RCW 28A.605.020 Parents’ Access to Classroom or School Sponsored Activities — Limitation

RCW 49.60 Discrimination — Human rights commission

WAC 392-172A Rules for the Provision of Special Education

20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq. Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004

29 U.S.C. 794 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1974, Pub. L. 93‑516, 29 U.S.C. 794

42 U.S.C. 12131-12133 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

28 CFR Part 35 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services

34 CFR Part 99 Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

34 CFR Part 104 Nondiscrimination on the basis of handicap in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance

34 CFR Part 300 Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities

34 CFR Part 303 Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities