Students in Private School Placed by Their Parents Developed by Contra Costa SELPA

Students in Private School Facilitated by: Contra Costa SELPA Staff

Students in Private School Purpose The purpose of this presentation is to inform administrators, special and general education staff of the district’s responsibility to Students Placed by their Parents in Private Schools.

Students in Private School Agenda IDEA ‘97 Private Placement District/SELPA Policy District Responsibilities Service Plan District Preparation Private Preschools are Different Required Documents Messages For Parents Questions & Answers

Students in Private School IDEA ‘97 Major change in Federal law Limited responsibility for service Reduced paperwork Specific process required Eliminates due process rights Only for Students Placed by their Parents in Private Schools

Students in Private School Funding Funding pooled for all Students Placed by their Parents in Private Schools Average of Federal allocation per pupil X number of Students Placed by their Parents in Private Schools Funding for this program comes from resources generated by pupils attending public schools No individual right to funds or service

Students in Private School Private Placement – Two Types By district Non-Public Schools Non-Public Agencies Part of the public school system IEP process applies By parent Private schools Not publicly funded Unilateral choice of parent New provision of law applies

Students in Private School If Enrolled In Private School, The District Has Options To limit service To limit paperwork To make decisions about service and students to receive service with the consultation with the representatives of such students However, Preschool is different

Students in Private School FAPE Is Available In Public School Student in private school has no individual entitlement to funding or service Develop IEP only if bona fide intent to place in public school When enrolled the district is ready, willing, and able to develop an IEP When enrolled in Private School, the district offers the Service Plan Applies to grades Kindergarten – 12 only

Students in Private School Risk Prematurely developing an IEP, when a parent does not express an interest in enrollment in public school, is subject to a California Special Education Hearing Office ruling

Students in Private School District/SELPA Policy Specifies that the district will develop an IEP when there is a bona fide interest in enrollment in public school Provides a Service Plan for Students Placed by their Parents in Private Schools school Provides Reevaluation upon enrollment in public school if warranted Requires annual notification of policy and procedures for students in private schools including Procedural Safeguards

Students in Private School District Responsibilities Child Find Identification - determine eligibility Preparation to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) Offer a Service Plan to those in Private Schools Annual Notice of Parent Rights and continuation of Service Plan

Students in Private School Service Plan Services To Be Provided Consultation with a Speech and Language Therapist Offer opportunity for staff development for parents and staff of the private school

Students in Private School Service Plan In lieu of FAPE No offer of other service No IEP is written

Students in Private School Centralized Management Collect information in a binder on all Students Placed by their Parents in Private Schools Students with a Service Plan must be included in: Database (Complete Student Data Form) Pupil Count Districts notifies parents SELPA notifies private schools

Students in Private School The District Mails Information To Parents When: Meetings are offered for representatives of students placed by their parents in private schools Staff development opportunities are available Individual student eligibility meetings are scheduled Providing annual notice of Parent Rights and continuation of the Service Plan

Students in Private School The SELPA Mails Information To Private Schools When: Meetings are offered for representatives of students placed by their parents in private schools Staff development opportunities are available

Students in Private School District Preparation Assign speech therapist Student is not part of the caseload Consider implication to workload Assign all students with Service Plans Set parameters for consultation Train providers of consultation Collect log sheets Calculate hours of services provided Monitor provider and parent satisfaction

Students in Private School Type of Consultation Curriculum and Instruction Accommodations Phonemic awareness Methods for vocabulary development Methods for oral participation in class Instructional strategies

Students in Private School Parameters Phone contact only No direct service No attempt to meet the IEP goals or services if previously written Reference sources for information and materials but do not provide any materials No referral or recommendation to other service providers or services Consultation is general Not specific to individual student Not to reflect the IEP or assessment Not to design or support an intervention program

Students in Private School Guideline for Monitoring Approximately 5 hours consultation per year per pupil Services must be logged and documented Send logs to administrator monthly Contact administrator with questions and concerns

Students in Private School Private Preschools Are Different Private preschools are appropriate placement options for Free Appropriate Public Education Funds must be used for special education services only IEP’s should be written and implemented for preschool children (3- 5 years-of-age)

Students in Private School Kindergarten At age 5 If parent’s plan to have child come to public school the next year as Kindergartner, use an IEP If parent’s plan to have child continue at a private school the next year, use a Service Plan At age 6, preschool (IEP) rules do not apply for those attending private schools At age 7, student must be enrolled in a school (Grade: 1-12)

Students in Private School Service Standards If services are provided under a Service Plan, then all non-preschool students placed in private school by parent will be treated under a Service Plan. If services are provided under an IEP, then the same range or level of services will be provided as provided to other students with an IEP

Students in Private School Service Equity No extension of services for one child should be different than services offered or denied to others Variations from policy jeopardize all districts’ ability to implement a Service Plan

Students in Private School Required Documents Service Plan Private School Consultation Log Letter to Parents Students in private school initially served by IEP Students in private school served under a Service Plan Annual Notice to all parents of students placed by their parents in private schools Pupil Count

Students in Private School Messages For Parents All discussions and decisions will be completed at a meeting including parents Districts are prepared to offer FAPE upon enrollment in a public school No resources are generated by Students Placed by their Parents in Private Schools Use of Procedural Safeguards is encouraged State Complaint Investigation State Due Process Hearing Local Alternative Dispute Resolution

Students in Private School District/SELPA Policies We must follow policies. If not, the hearing officer could change our direction We do not modify, terminate, drop or stop IEP services without an IEP meeting We provide Free Appropriate Public Education to students enrolled in public schools We encourage enrollment in public school Our options are limited By law By funding

Students in Private School Questions & Answers Should IEPs be developed when student attends a private school? Only if parent expresses intent to enroll in a public school If not, offer a Service Plan What documentation is needed? Keep track of private students Annual notification of procedural safeguards

Students in Private School The Contra Costa SELPA would like to thank you for your interest in this topic and for your attendance at this training.