CODE: 6174.4
SECTION: INSTRUCTION
SPECIAL EDUCATION
In accordance with Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and N.J.A.C. 6A:14-1.1(b) and (c), the West Milford Township Board of Education shall adopt and assure compliance with the following policies:
Policy # 1: All students with disabilities, who are in need of special education and related services, including students with disabilities attending nonpublic schools, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, are located, identified and evaluated according to N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.3
Policy # 2: Students with disabilities are evaluated according to N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.5 and 3.4.
Policy # 3: An individualized education program is developed, reviewed and as appropriate, revised according to N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.6 and 3.7.
Policy # 4: To the maximum extent appropriate students with disabilities are educated in the least restrictive environment according to N.J.A.C. 6A: 14-4.2.
Policy # 5: Students with disabilities are included in Statewide and districtwide assessment programs, with appropriate accommodations, where necessary according to N.J.A.C. 6A:14-4.11.
Policy # 6: Students with disabilities are afforded the procedural safeguards required by N.J.A.C. 6A: 14-2.1 et seq.
Policy # 7: A free appropriate public education is available to all students with disabilities between the ages 3 and 21, including students with disabilities who have been suspended or expelled from school.
1. The obligation to make a free, appropriate public education available to each eligible student begins no later than the student’s third birthday and that an individualized education program is in effect for the student by that date;
2. A free, appropriate public education is available to any student with a disability who needs special education and related services, even though the student is advancing from grade to grade; and
3. The services and placement needed by each student with a disability to receive a free, appropriate public education are based on the student’s unique needs and not on the student’s disability.
Policy # 8: Children with disabilities participating in early intervention programs assisted under IDEA Part C who will participate in preschool programs under this chapter experience a smooth transition and that an individualized education program has been developed and is being implemented according toe N.J.A.C. 6A: 14-3.3(e).
Policy # 9: Full educational opportunity to all student with disabilities is provided.
Policy # 10:The compilation, maintenance, access to and confidentiality of student records are in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6:3-6.
Policy # 11: Provision is made for the participation of students with disabilities who are placed by their parents in nonpublic schools according to N.J.A.C. 6A:14-6.1 and 6.2.
Policy # 12: Students with disabilities who are placed in private schools by the district Board of Education, are provided special education and related services at no cost to their parents according to N.J.A.C. 6A:14-1.1 (d) and N.J.A.C. 6A: 14-7.5 (b) 3.
Policy # 13: All personnel serving students with disabilities are appropriately certified and licensed, where a license is required.
Policy # 14: The in-service training needs for professional and paraprofessional staff who provide special education, general education or related services are identified and that appropriate in-service training is provided. The West Milford Board of Education shall maintain information to demonstrate its efforts to:
1. Prepare general and special education personnel with the content knowledge and collaborative skills needed to meet the needs of children with disabilities;
2. Enhance the ability of teachers and others to use strategies, such as behavioral interventions, to address the conduct of students with disabilities that impedes the learning of students with disabilities and others;
3. Acquire and disseminate to teachers, administrators, school board members and related services personnel, significant knowledge derived from educational research and other sources and how the district will, if appropriate, adopt promising practices, materials and technology.
4. Insure that the in-service training is integrated to the maximum extent possible with other professional development activities; and
5. Provide for joint training activities of parents and special education, related services and general education personnel.
First Reading: December 12, 2000
Adopted: December 19, 2000