SPECIAL EDUCATION

The Board recognizes some students have different educational needs than other students.  The Board shall provide a free appropriate public education program and related services to students identified in need of special education.  The special education services will be provided from birth until the appropriate education is completed, age twenty-one or to maximum age allowable in accordance with the law.  Students requiring special education shall attend general education classes, participate in extracurricular services and activities and receive services in a general education setting to the maximum extent appropriate to the needs of each individual student.  The appropriate education for each student shall be written in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Special education students shall be required to meet the requirements stated in board policy or in their IEPs for graduation.  It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent and the area education agency director of special education to provide or make provisions for appropriate special education and related services.

Children from birth through age 2 and children age 3 through age 5 shall be provided comprehensive special education services within the public education system.  The school district shall work in conjunction with the area education agency to provide services, at the earliest appropriate time, to children with disabilities from birth through age 2.  This shall be done to ensure a smooth transition of children entitled to early childhood special education services.

Legal Reference:         Board of Education v. Rowley, 458 U.S. 176 (1982)

                                  Springdale School District #50 v. Grace, 693 F.2d 41 (8^th Cir. 1982)

                                  Southeast Warren Comm. School Districe v. Dept. of Public Instruction,

                                         285 N.W.2d173 (Iowa 1979)

                                  20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq. (1994)

                                  34 C.F.R. Pt. 300 et seq. (1996)

                                  Iowa Code §§ 256.11(7); 256B; 273.1, .2, .5, .9(2)-(3); 280.8 (1999)

                                  281 I.A.C. 41

Cross Reference:        503       Student Discipline

                                  505.5    Graduation Requirements

                                  506       Student Records

                                  507.2    Administration of Medication to Students

                                  507.8    Student Special Health Services

                                  601.1    School Calendar

                                  603       Instructional Curriculum

Approved:    5/12/97                  Reviewed:      2/00                  Revised:    8/00

                                                                        10/06

                                                                         11/17