2161 Special Education
The district recognizes that students whose disabilities adversely impact educational performance and who require specially designed instruction have potential for improving 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 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 students with disabilities will be addressed individually, and, if appropriate, students will be provided accommodations, modifications, and/or related aids and services as required under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in accordance with district policy and procedures.
Mediation or Resolution Agreements
The board authorizes the superintendent or a designee to bind the district to a mediation or resolution agreement.
Commencement Exercises/Certificate of Attendance (COA)
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 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. This policy and the procedures shall be available to the public.
· 2162 – Education of Students with Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Cross References:
· 2163 – Response to Intervention
· 2410 - High School Graduation Requirements
· 3231 - Student Records
· 3241 - Classroom Management, Discipline and Corrective Action
· 3246 - Restraint, Isolation and Other Uses of Reasonable Force
· 4217 – Effective Communication
Legal References:
· Chapter 28A.155 RCW 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 the use of isolation and 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 Chapter 49.60 RCW Discrimination — Human rights commission
· 392-172A, WAC Rules for the provision of special education 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 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004
· 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
Management Resources:
· 2021 – December Issue 2016
· March Issue 2014
· June Issue 2009
· October Issue Policy News, December 2007 Updated Special Education Policy and Procedure
· Policy News, June 2007 Graduation Ceremonies for Special Education Students
· Policy News, December 1999 Rule Adoption Leads to Special Education Policy
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Ad/option Date: 11/20/2001 Revision Date: 7/26/2022