Students Enrolled by their Parents in Private Schools
Referral and Eligibility
A parent, a student placed in private school by the parent, or a staff member from the child’s private school may request an evaluation to determine the student’s eligibility for special education. If the student is 18, an emancipated minor, or married, the student placed in the private school by the parent or him/herself may request an evaluation to determine his/her eligibility for special education.
The request may be made orally or in writing. If the request is made to the student services office, the Director will refer the request to the eligibility team at the appropriate school.
If the request is made to a school administrator, or other school staff, the request will be referred to the Special Education Team.
If the private school of attendance is outside of Scappoose School District boundaries, the eligibility team will inform the parent, student or private school staff member that the district encompassing the location of the private school is responsible for child find, determination of eligibility, and Services Plan, if necessary. (IDEA, 2004).
The Special Education Teacher will contact the parent by telephone and in writing (Notice of Team Meeting) to invite the parent pre-referral meeting. A representative of the private school, who can address the student’s performance is also invited.
An Authorization to Use and/or Disclose Educational and Protected Health Information form is included with the meeting notice. The form requests that all school records be released to the school.
If a team member believes it is necessary to receive information from other agencies or service providers, an additional Authorization to Use and/or Disclose Educational and Protected Health Information form is completed and enclosed.
Follow the following procedures based on parental attendance:
If the parent does not attend, complete the Prior Notice of Special Education Action stating:
“The Scappoose School District stands ready to consider conducting an evaluation of (student) in order to determine eligibility for special education services. Please contact (CARE/SST team coordinator) if you wish to pursue an evaluation”.
Mail form to parents, retain a copy and submit a copy to the Student Services office.
If the parent does attend, the Special Education team will proceed with consideration for evaluation. If an evaluation is to be conducted, the parent is asked to sign a Prior Notice about Evaluation/Consent for Evaluation. The parent is expected to bring the child to the appropriate school in the Banks District. Direct observation is conducted when arranged at the private school.
Eligibility/ineligibility is determined.
Due process procedures are available to parents of parentally placed private school children regarding a school district’s performance of child find activities, evaluations, and reevaluations. Due process is not available to parents if they have concerns about school district compliance with IDEA requirements regarding the consultation process, the amount of funds expended by a school district to meet the requirements, decisions about the services that will be provided to parentally placed students, or the implementation of a specific Services Plan for a child. However, the State Complaint Resolution Process may be used for such complaints.
If a student receiving special education services withdraws from SSD to attend a private school outside of SSD boundaries and continues to reside within BSD: The case manager makes a courtesy call to the parent informing him/her that the district encompassing the location of the private school is responsible for developing the Services Plan. Complete Prior Notice of Special Education Action stating: “(Student) attends a private school outside of the Scappoose School District boundary. 2004 mandates that Special Education services will be provided to eligible students by the district that encompasses the private school location”.
SERVICES PLAN AND/OR IEP MEETING
Prior to the Services Plan meeting, consult with the Student Services Director to confirm the appropriate amount of service and type of service for the student.
Parents typically provide transportation for students on a Services Plan. However, if this is an issue for the student to access services, please contact the Student Services Director. Under certain circumstances transportation can be considered.
The case manager invites the parent, a representative from the private school, and other meting participants to a meeting using the Notice of Team Meeting. The meeting is arranged by telephone prior to mailing the form.
For eligible resident students attending a private school within the Scappoose School District boundaries, the case manager explains at the meeting that the student would be eligible for more comprehensive services if attending the public school. Examples of services at both schools are described. These services are defined on the Service Plan or an IEP document if requested by the parent. If parents decline the IEP, the case manager documents this on a Prior Notice of Special Education Action form.
If the student attends a private school within Scappoose School District boundaries, but resides outside of the District, an IEP is not offered. Only the Service Plan is addressed. The Service Plan includes the cover page, a Present Level statement and the goals. Decisions are documented on a Prior Notice of Special Education Action form.
Service Plans are reviewed and revised annually. The team determines, and the Services Plans describes, when periodic reports on progress will be provided to the parent.
A Notice of Team Meeting is sent annually to review/develop a new Services Plan. If a student enrolls in the District, an IEP is developed.
Reevaluation
Every three years, reevaluation is conducted even if the student is not served on a Services Plan.
If a parent refuses to grant consent, or does not respond to the Prior Notice About Evaluation/Consent for Evaluation form, the case manager sends a Prior Notice of Special Education Action form stating:
“The Scappoose School District stands ready to consider conducting a reevaluation of student in order to determine his/her eligibility for special education services. Please contact (case manager) if you wish to pursue an evaluation. The student cannot be served on a Service Plan unless eligible for special education services. “
Mail forms to parent, submit original to student services office and retain a copy in working file.