Annual Review of Student Services, Special Education, Civil Rights Cohasset Public Schools

PURPOSE: District Obligations General Education Instructional Practices 504 plans Overview of Special Education Confidentiality Obligation Physical Restraint Policy Civil Rights and Compliance

Special Education Regulations Massachusetts State Regulations –603 CMR Federal Regulation –Individual Disability Education Act Revised (IDEA-R 2004)

Young Children Provide screenings each year  Any child suspected of having a disability is identified and evaluated (34CFR (a)(2)(ii) Public Annual Notice Program components promoting school readiness No obligation for FAPE.

General Educators To be knowledgeable of students in need of service Federal Regulations: –34CFR (b)(2)

General Education Instructional Practices Differentiated Instruction for students with diverse learning needs Instructional support services – such as pre-referral activities (CST/ RtI / Tiered Intervention/ Universal Design) Building Curriculum Accommodation Plans / ICAP

General Education Instructional Practices Professional development to enable staff to deliver research based academic instruction and behavioral interventions 504 Plans Implementing Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIP) Recording response to research based intervention (RtI/Tiered Intervention)

Section 504 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that extends protection to Individuals with Disabilities that impact a major life activity and may not be covered under IDEA. 504 Plan is developed to provide reasonable accommodations and requires full obligation. 504 Plan is a General Education obligation

Section 504 The Principal / designee is the building level Section 504 Coordinator. The Director of Student Services is the District 504 Coordinator. Building level coordinator has responsibility to disseminate 504 plans to instructional team to provide the accommodations.

General Education Teacher Responsibilities Review Assist in implementing the Child’s IEP Assist in implementing the Child’s Behavior Intervention Plan Participating in the IEP meeting Implementing the Child’s 504 Plan Implementing an ICAP

11 When is a student eligible for Special Education? A student is eligible if all three of the conditions are met: The student has one or more disabilities. The student is not making effective progress in school as a result of the disability(ies). The student requires special education or related services in order to make meaningful progress.

Special Education Modifications in Content Methodology Performance Criteria

13 The federal and state special education laws and the rights of parents and students in special education are grounded upon six basic principles. Six Basic Principles

14 The Six Principles 1. Parent and Student Participation 2. Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) 3. Appropriate Evaluation 4. Individualized Education Program (IEP) 5. Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) 6. Procedural Safeguards

LRE = Inclusion Setting Philosophy to provide support to students in the classroom environment in which they have greatest access to curricular content delivered by highly qualified teachers. Obligation to least restrictive setting.

Initial evaluation and Reevaluation Evaluations must provide information to determine present levels of academic achievement and related developmental needs. Reevaluations occur not more frequently than once a year**

Monitoring Priority areas which must be monitored 1.FAPE in the LRE 2. Child Find activities 3. Use of resolution sessions, and mediation 4. And a system of providing transitional services for students age 14 and older

Confidential – 603 CMR Student Records Do not discuss a student with friends/neighbors/ parents in public, even if the parent does. Do not leave student’s IEP open on your desk.

Confidential – 603 CMR Student Records Do not discuss a student with other teachers in faculty staff rooms. Remember to respect the students confidentiality at all times.

Physical Restraint State Regulation – 603 CMR Zero Tolerance Please take the time to review these regulations

Physical Restraint Physical restraint is prohibited as a means of punishment, or as a response to destruction of property, disruption of school order, a student's refusal to comply with a school rule or staff directive, or verbal threats that do not constitute a threat of imminent, serious physical harm to the student or others. Staff shall not be precluded from using such reasonable force as is necessary to protect pupils, other persons or themselves from an assault by a pupil. Staff shall report the use of physical restraint that lasts longer than five minutes, or results in injury to a student or staff member. The staff member shall inform the administration of the physical restraint as soon as possible, and by written report, no later than the next school day. The Principal or director or his/her designee shall maintain an ongoing record of all reported instances of physical restraint, which, upon request, shall be made available to the Department of Education. When a restraint has resulted in serious injury to a student or program staff member or when an extended restraint has been administered, the program shall provide a copy of the required report to the Department of Education within five (5) school working days of the administration of the restraint. In special circumstances waivers may be sought from parents either through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process or from parents of students who present a high risk of frequent, dangerous behavior that may frequent the use of restraint.

Physical Restraint Staff shall not be precluded from using such reasonable force as is necessary to protect pupils, other persons or themselves from an assault by a pupil. Staff shall report the use of physical restraint that lasts longer than five minutes, or results in injury to a student or staff member.

Physical Restraint The staff member shall inform the administration of the physical restraint as soon as possible, and by written report, no later than the next school day. The Principal or director or his/her designee shall maintain an ongoing record of all reported instances of physical restraint, which, upon request, shall be made available to the Department of Education.

Physical Restraint When a restraint has resulted in serious injury to a student or program staff member or when an extended restraint has been administered, the program shall provide a copy of the required report to the Department of Education within five (5) school working days of the administration of the restraint.

Physical Restraint When a restraint has resulted in serious injury to a student or program staff member or when an extended restraint has been administered, the program shall provide a copy of the required report to the Department of Education within five (5) school working days of the administration of the restraint.

Physical Restraint In special circumstances waivers may be sought from parents either through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process or from parents of students who present a high risk of frequent, dangerous behavior that may frequent the use of restraint.

CIVIL RIGHTS & COMPLIANCE Cohasset School Committee affirms the policy of maintaining the Cohasset Public Schools a learning and working environment free of sexual harassment and intimidation. Your Faculty Handbook includes a complete listing of all employee Civil Rights Titles and Regulations District Employee Civil Rights Compliance Officer:  Title IX, VI, VII Compliance Officer  ADA, 504, McKinney –Vento Coordinator  Sexual Harassment Violation Coordinator Mary Buchanan Cohasset Public Schools 143 Pond Street Cohasset, Ma

Thank You for your attention and have a great year.