APPROVE

APPROVE is a temporary setting where students may be placed as a result of an MDC conference with a special education administrator present.

The APPROVE program is ONLY recommended for secondary students who have been expelled, who are being considered for expulsion, or require a most restrictive setting due to crisis behaviors. 

The APPROVE program is a 45 day placement located at Studebaker School

Writing APPROVE services into the IEP

Prior to an MDC, if an APPROVE placement is being considered, approval from your special education supervisor MUST be obtained. You should contact your supervisor and support team member as soon as the MDC has been scheduled. 

Purpose of the IEP

• MDC

• Revise IEP

Notice of Case Conference

• You must invite the following people:

• Building Administrator

• Parent 

• Student

• Teacher of Service (if not you) 

• SLP/OT/PT (if student is receiving those services) 

• Support Team Member 

• General Education Teacher(s)

• Any other pertinent personnel 

Existing Data

• The Present Level of Performance should contain a description of any incidents that have occurred, with dates and  consequences or results.

Special Considerations

• There must be a Behavior Intervention Plan in place. If there is not a current BIP, then a  FBA should be completed and a BIP should be developed. 

• An FBA, if needed, would likely be done with existing data and then a BIP would be developed using information from that FBA. 

• If further study of patterns of behavior is required, an FBA with new data may be requested through re-evaluation at the conference and completed after parent permission is granted. 

  Accommodations

• Behavioral Accommodations should be reviewed and modified if needed.

Goals

• If there is a new behavior plan, behavioral goals should be written or modified.

Provisions

Minutes for APPROVE would be:

• English/ Language Arts, 4 days/week. 75 Minutes/day – 300 minutes/wk,

• Math/ Pre-Algebra/ Algebra, 4 days/week. 75 Minutes/day – 300 minutes/wk.

• Minutes would equal 100% direct service in Sp. Ed. 600 minutes/wk.

Schedule:

• Session 1 (Middle School): 8:30-11:00

• Session 2 (High School): 11:00-1:15

• Session 3 (High School): 1:15-3:45

LRE Category

• Total minutes/week:

  • • Session 1: 600 min/week

    • Session 2: 480 min/week

    • Session 3:  600 min/week

• Additional Descriptors

  • • List the minutes and percentages for Special Education setting and General Education Setting separately. If the IEP spans two school years, or if the student's services will change from one semester or trimester, list each one separately:

    • For all Approve students:

      • • Direct Services in General Ed Setting: 00 min/600 min = 0%

        • Direct Service in Special Ed Setting:  600 min/600 min = 100%

        • Total Direct Services : 600/600 min = 100%

        • If students are attending approve Session 2, replace 600 with 480 minutes.

• Potential Harmful Effects

  • • XXXX will have a shortened day, 4 days a week, and may not have enough support services to make progress on IEP goals. He/She will not attend his/her regular school.

• LRE code: select "Option 53- Separate Day School Facility"

• General Considerations:

  • • Student will not be able to participate in all educational programs and activities that are made available to non-disabled students.

      • • XXX will be in the APPROVE PROGRAM for [time frame]. His/Her school day will be [insert times] four days a week, Monday through Thursday.

    • Student will not be able to participate in all non-educational and extracurricular activities that are made available to non-disabled students.

      • • XXX will be in the APPROVE PROGRAM for [time frame]. His/Her school day will be [insert times] four days a week, Monday through Thursday.

    • Student will not participate in the general physical education program that is available to non-disabled students.

      • • XXXX will be in the APPROVE PROGRAM for [time frame] school year. His/Her school day will be [insert times] four days a week, Monday through Thursday.

    • Student will not be educated in the school (he/she) would attend if not disabled.

      • • XXXX will be in the APPROVE PROGRAM for [time frame]. His/Her school day will be [insert times] four days a week, Monday through Thursday