GO-TO GUIDE PARENT & FAMILY - | sboe · 2018-11-20 · What can I do at home to help my child...

TRYINGTONAVIGATEPUBLICSCHOOLSINTHEDISTRICTOFCOLUMBIA?

WeCanHelp.StartHere.

PARENT&FAMILYGO-TOGUIDE

Phone:(202)741-4692Email:[email protected]

WebAddress:studentadvocate.dc.gov4414thStreetNW723N,Washington,DC20001

TheOfficeoftheStudentAdvocateiscommittedtoensuringthatallfamiliesareabletonavigatepubliceducationintheDistrictofColumbia.Knowledgeandaccessshouldnotbelimitedorrestrictedbyrace,economicstatus,languageormobility.

FaithGibsonHubbardChiefStudentAdvocate

OurParent&FamilyGo-ToGuideisacollectionofparent-centereddocumentsandresourcesdesignedtohelpfamiliesnavigatethepubliceducationsystemintheDistrict.Someofthetoolsaremostusefulpairedwithagreaterunderstandingofthepoliciesandproceduresatyourchild’sschool.

Byplacingtheseresourcesinoneguide,DCparentsandfamilieshaveaccesstoinformationtheyhavetherighttoknowinonehandydocument.

PARENT&FAMILYGO-TOGUIDE

PublicEducationinDCpg.2

Achievement/Testingpg.5

Behaviorpg.9

Attendancepg.13

Enrollment

pg.16

SpecialEducation

pg.19

AddtionalResources

pg.25

RighttoKnow:AchievementRighttoKnow:PARCCScoresPathwaytoGraduationAlternatePathways

RighttoKnow:BehaviorBullyingQuicksheetRighttoKnow:DisciplinePoliciesRighttoKnow:DisciplineLaw

RighttoKnow:AttendanceRighttoKnow:TardinessRighttoKnow:Absences

RighttoKnow:EnrollmentRighttoKnow:Pre-K3/Pre-K4RighttoKnow:Homelessness

RighttoKnow:SpecialEducationFederalSpecialEducationLawDCSPEDLandscapeIEPv504ChildFind&ProceduralSafeguardsRighttoKnow:ResponsetoIntervention

Mayor

DeputyMayorofEducation(DME)

DCCouncil

OfficeoftheStateSuperintendentofEducation(OSSE)

LocalEducation

Agency(LEA)SchoolsStateBoardof

Education(SBOE)

HowSchoolsinDCWorkHowSchoolsinDCWork

IntheDistrictofColumbiawehavemorethan60localeducationagencies(LEAs)orindividualschooldistricts.DCPublicSchools(DCPS)andeachoftheindividualpubliccharterschoolnetworks

areschooldistricts.

Yourchild'spublicschoolhasanLEAwithitsownorganizationalstructures,policies,andprocedures–allofwhichcanbefoundon

itsrespectivewebsite.

DeputyMayorforEducation:https://dme.dc.govOfficeoftheStateSuperintendentofEducation:https://osse.dc.gov DCCouncil:http://dccouncil.us/councilStateBoardofEducation:https://sboe.dc.govDCPublicSchools:https://dcps.dc.govPublicCharterSchoolNetworks:http://www.dcpcsb.org/find-a-school

MoreregardingthestructureofpubliceducationinDCcanbefoundonourwebsiteatstudentadvocate.dc.govundertheInformation&AdvocacyResourcesandToolstab.

2

TERMSTOKNOW

OfficeoftheStateSuperintendentofEducation(OSSE)TheofficialstateeducationagencyfortheDistrictofColumbia;providesinformation,policyguidance,andresourcesoneducationmatterstoLEAsandparents

LocalEducationAgency(LEA)Anentitythatoperatespublicelementaryandsecondaryschools;DCPSisitsownLEAandeachcharternetworkisitsownLEA;eachLEAcreatesitsownsetsofpoliciesandoverseesimplementationoffederalandstatepolicies

DCPublicSchools(DCPS)ThetraditionalschoolsystemintheDistrictofColumbia;centralauthorityistheChancellorofDCPublicSchools

In-boundaryAschoolwithinDCPSthatastudenthasarighttoattend("matter-of-right")basedontheiraddress;everyhomeaddresshasanassignedDCPSelementary,middle,andhighschool

StateBoardofEducation(SBOE)AdvisestheStateSuperintendentofEducation;approvesstate-levelpoliciesaffectingDCpubliceducation

DeputyMayorforEducation(DME)DevelopsandimplementstheMayor'svisionforacademicexcellencefrombirthto24;overseesDistrict-wideeducationstrategy;managesinteragencyandcross-sectorcoordination;providesoversightforeducation-relatedagencies

3

TERMSTOKNOW

DCPublicCharterSchoolBoard(PCSB)AuthorizespubliccharterschoolsinDC;afterthecomprehensiveapplicationprocess,PSCBprovidesoversightandsupporttotheschoolsitauthorizes

PublicCharterSchools(PCS)Independent,tuition-freeschoolsunderagreementsapprovedbyPCSB;apubliccharterschoolisnotamatter-of-rightschooltostudentsinagivenneighborhood;requiresanapplicationthroughthelottery

LotteryAprocessthatallowsstudentstogainentrancetoparticipatingpubliccharterschools,out-of-boundaryDCPS,DCPSpre-kprograms,andDCPScity-wideselectivehighschoolsthroughasingle,randomlotteryprocess

MySchoolDCAdministersthelotteryprocessforparticipatingschools;non-participatingcharterschoolshavetheirownlotteryprocess;matchesarebasedonthenumberofavailablespacesineachschool

Out-of-boundaryAschoolwithinDCPSthatisnotamatter-of-rightschool;schoolsoutsideofastudent'sneighborhoodboundary

4

AchievementThefollowingquestionsarehelpful

conversationstarterswhenconsideringstudentachievement.Doesmychildseemchallenged

bythematerialhe/shebringshome?

DoIknowhowmychildlearnsbest?WhatcanIdoathometohelpmychildsucceed?

AmIdoingallthatIcantoencouragemychildtoreadforleisure?

DoIknowtheresourcestheschoolhasformeregardinggraduationandstandardizedassessments?

DoIdisplayapositiveattitudeabouteducationaroundmychild?

HaveIresearchedstatestandardsformychild’sgrade?AmIassistingmychildwithstandardsmasteryathome?

HaveIrequested/soughtacademicservicesifmychildneedsadditionalhelp?

Athome,doIhaveclearexpectations,responsibilities,andconsequencesthataddressmychild’ssocialandemotionalneeds?

HaveIdevelopedapartnershipwithmychild’steachers?HowdoIcommunicatewiththem?

AskYourSchool

AskYourself

RightKnowt

Ismychildworkingonorabovegradelevel?

Howdoyoutypicallydifferentiateinstructiontomeettheindividualneedsofmychild?

Isthereanacademicperformancegapinyourschool?

Whatarethegraduation/promotionalrequirementsformychild’sgrade?Arethererequiredstandardizedassessments?

Whatistheschool'sphilosophyabouthowchildrenlearnbest?

Whatstandardsareyouassessinginthisunitofstudy?

Doesmychildknowandunderstandwhatanexemplarlookslike?

WhatarethestructuresthatIneedtohaveinplacetomeetmychild’ssocialandemotionalneeds?Howdoesheorsherespondwithpeers?

Whatopportunitiesareavailableformetovolunteerinmychild’sschool?Whatisthebestwayformetocontactyouregardingmychild’sprogress?

5

Achievement/Testing

tPARCCScores

ThefollowingtipsarehelpfulwheninterpretingPARCCscores.

PARCCisanationalstandardizedassessmentdesignedtomeasurehowwellstudentshavelearnedgrade-levelmaterialinmathematicsandEnglish.

Formoreinformation,visithttps://parcc.pearson.com/orhttps://osse.dc.gov/parcc.

RightKnowt

ForEnglishandMath,astudentisgivenanoverallscorebetweenthe650and850.Theoverallscorerange,650-850,isdividedintofivelevels.Theoverallscoreisusuallyindicatedusinganarrowpointingtoanumberonabar.

Math 650

850Level2Level1 Level3 Level4 Level5

Studentmayneedadditionalsupporttomeetgrade-levelexpectations.

Studentmetgrade-levelexpectationsandisreadyforthenextgrade.

SymbolsforSpecificSkillsRatings

Belowgrade-levelexpectations

Abovegrade-levelexpectations

Nearlymeetsgradelevelexpectations

English

Math

Therearetwomainsubcategories:ReadingandWriting.Eachsubcategoryisscored

(usinganumber)anddividedintospecificskills.Thespecificskillsareratedusing

symbols.

Reading(Scoredbetween10-90)

Writing(Scoredbetween10-60)

Mathisdividedintospecificskills(therearenosubcategoriesformath).Thosespecificskillsare

ratedusingsymbols.

Spec

ific

Ski

lls

English

Spec

ific

Ski

llsSp

ecifi

cS

kills

6

Achievement/Testing

7

Achievement/Testing

PathwaytoGraduation

Courses&Requirements

GradeDisputation CreditRecovery

Mathematics(4.0)

Science(4.0)

SocialStudies(4.0)

1. Attempttospeakwithyourteacheraboutyourgrade.

2. Fileaformalgradeappeal/complaintformwithyourprincipal.Checkwithyourcounselor/schoolhandbookforclearerinstructions.

3. SubmitafinalappealtoyourLEA'sboardorDCPSInstructionalSuperintendent.

Yourschoolmayofferotherwaystoearncoursecreditafterastudenthasfallenbehindacademically.

Popularoptions:after-schoolclassestwilight(evening)academiessummerschoolalternativesettings

English(4.0)

WorldLanguage(2.0)

Art(0.5)

Music(0.5)

PhysicalEducation/Health(1.5)

Electives(3.5)

*IfyoutransferLEAsorfromaschoolinanotherstate,besuretoaskwhichclassestransfer.

1.Allstudentsmustearn24CarnegieUnits(CUs)tograduate:

2.Allstudentsmustcomplete100hoursofcommunityservicetograduate.

*Unexcusedabsencesmaycauseyoutoreceiveagradereductioninthatclass.

*Checkwithyourschooltowhatoptionsareavailabletoyouandhowtheyarerecordedonyourtranscript.

mustincludeAlgebra1,Geometry,andAlgebraIIataminimum

mustincludethreelabsciences

mustincludeWorldHistory1and2,UnitedStatesHistory;UnitedStatesGovernment,andDistrictofColumbiaHistory

*Ifyouattendaselectiveorcitywideschooltheremaybesomeadditionalcourseworktograduate.

FactsandBenefits

Isfinishingatmyhighschoolan

option?

StateDiplomavs.GED

TruthsAboutYourSituation

VariousPrograms

Beforeyougo,checkouttheresourcesavailable:

FirstSteps

What's the Best Route?

Figureouthowmanycreditsyouneedtograduate.Areyouover16?Hassomeoneatyourschooltalkedtoyouaboutgoingtoanotherschoolorprogram?

TogetaHSdiplomayouneedtoearn24creditsbetween9thand12thgrade.Moststudents,inatypicalyear,earncloseto6credits.YouhavearighttoaFreeandAppropriateEducation.Ifyouareunder18youarelegallyrequiredtoattendschoolintheDistrictofColumbia.

YES,ifyouhaveanIEPyoumayhaveuntilyour22ndbirthdaytoearnadiplomainatraditionalhighschool;

YES,ifyourschooloffersacreditrecoveryprogramliketwilightclassesoreveninginstruction;

NO,ifyouare18orolderandmorethanafullyearbehind;

NO,ifyouhaveahistoryofdisciplineorattendanceproblems.

LifeHappens.Oftenplansneedtobeadjusted.

Determininghowyoufinishhighschoolisadecision

youcanmake!

TheGEDisacertificate,notadiploma.

YoureligibilityforastatediplomaisbasedonyourGEDscore.

studentadvocate.dc.gov

AcademyofHopePublicCharterBallouSTAYSeniorHighSchoolBriyaPublicCharterCarlosRosarioPublicCharterCommunityCollegePrepLAYCCareerAcademy

RoadblocksStudentsFacePregnancyLanguage/ImmigrationBarriersJusticeSystemContactHomelessness

LukeC.MooreAcademyMayaAngelouYoungAdultLearningCenterNextStepsPublicCharterRooseveltSTAYSeniorHighSchoolWashingtonMetropolitanHighSchoolYouthBuild

dcpcsb.orgdcps.dc.gov/alternativehsbackontrack.osse.dc.gov

8

Achievement/Testing

DoIknowhowmychildisexpectedtobehaveatschooloronthebus?

AmIawareofanybehaviorissuesthatIneedtoaddresswithmychild?

HaveIreadthepoliciesandrulesregardingdisciplineatmychild'sschool?

HowdoIcommunicatewiththeschoolwhenthereareproblemsathomethatIamawareof?

DoIknowthebehaviorviolationsandtheircorrespondingconsequences?

Doesmychildunderstandthatviolenceisunacceptable?

HowcanIsupportschoolpoliciesandproceduresforbehaviorathome?

Athome,arethereexpectationsandconsequences?DoIholdmychildaccountableforhis/herchoices?

Howdoestheschoolinformmychildofhis/herbehaviorexpectations?

Howcanyouhelpmekeep/preventmychildfromhavingbehaviorproblems?(Shareanybehaviorissueswiththeschool.)

Doesmychildtrulyknowandunderstandwhatisrequiredinorderforhimorhertoavoiddisciplinaryaction?

Whatisbeingdonetoensurethatallstudentsarewell–behavedandsafe?

WhatarethedisciplinepoliciesthatI,asaparent,needtobeawareofandenforceathome?

WhatarePositiveBehaviorInterventionsandSupports(PBIS)?

WhatisthebestwayformetocommunicatewiththeschoolregardinganythingthatIneedtosharewithyou?Isthereaphonelistavailable?

Doyouviewyourbehaviorplanaspunitiveorrestorative?Aresuspensionsalastresort?

Ifmychildissuspended,isthereanindependentappealprocess?Whatdoestheappealsprocessentail?

Behavior

AskYourself

AskYourTeacher

Thefollowingquestionsarehelpfulconversationstarterswhenconsideringstudentbehavior.

RightKnowRightKnowt

*Thisinformationisbestusedwhenpairedwithyourschool'shandbook.

Behavior

9

Bullyingisunwanted,aggressivebehaviorthatcausessignificantharmtothetargetandinvolvesarealorperceivedpowerimbalance.

1 WHATISBULLYING?

SignedintolawonJune22,2012

AllD.C.publicandpubliccharterschoolsaswellasDCyouthagenciesmusthaveapolicy.

CreatedtheYouthBullyingPreventionTaskForce,comprisedofDistrictgovernmentagencies,teachers,schooladministrators,parents,mentalhealthprofessionals,andmore.

2 YOUTHBULLYINGPREVENTIONACT

OF2012

Bullyingmaybebasedon,butisnotlimitedto,aspecificpersonalcharacteristicsuchasrace,gender,nationalorigin,color,sexualorientation,personalappearance,disability,genderidentityorexpression,orfamilialstatus.

3 TYPESOFBULLYING

Verbalex.teasing,namecalling,taunting

Physicalex.hitting,kicking,pushing

Socialex.Purposefullyexcludingsomeone,spreadingrumorsaboutsomeone

Electronicex.meanorthreateningtextsentthroughtext,email,orsocialmedia

Allschoolshaveadesignatedbullyingpointofcontact.

Findyoursat:

USEFULCONTACTS

TheOfficeofHumanRights,BullyingPreventionpagehashelpfulresources;tips,moreinformationaboutthe

BullyingPreventionAct,andpoliciesaboutbullying.

Visittheirwebsiteathttps://ohr.dc.gov/page/bullyingprevention.

USEFULRESOURCES

HELPFULTIP:Providesupporttoyouthwhoarebulliedorwhobullyothers,becausebothcanleadtoseriousandlong-

lastingproblems.

https://ohr.dc.gov/page/knowyourpolicy.

Allschools,DCyouth-servingagenciesandnon-profitorganizationsarerequiredtohaveabullying

preventionpolicy.

BULLYINGPREVENTIONPOLICY

Thisbullyingpreventionpolicymustinclude:

definitions,consequencesandflexibility,reporting,investigation&appeals.

MoreinfoontheBullyingPreventionPolicycanbefoundhere:

https://ohr.dc.gov/bullyingprevention/policy.

THINGSTOKNOW

BULLYING QUICKSHEET

4 5 6Behavior

10

Availability

Punishable Behaviors

Suspension Data

Alternative Arrangements

Knowingwhere,whenandhowyourschoolmakesthedisciplinepoliciesavailableiskey.Someschoolspoliciesareonlypostedonlineorissuedtoparentsonceayear.

Eachschoolmayhavedifferentpunishablebehaviors.Charterschoolsmaydifferhowparticularoffensesaredisciplined.SomeLEAshavedisciplinepoliciesthatrelyontiersthatoutlinestheoffenseandconsequence(s).

Eachyear,OSSEpublishesadisciplinereportthatincludesthenumberofsuspensionsandexpulsionsreportedbyeachLEA.Thisreportcanbefoundat:

LEAsdifferinhowtheyallowsuspendedstudentstocompleteclassassignments. Studentsareabletoidentifytheirown

misbehaviorusingcommunityexercisesinanefforttorestoretherelationshipbetweenthestudentandthevictim/community.Therearenotseverepunitiveconsequencesatrisk.Theschoolofferstheopportunityforthestudenttolearnabouttheimpactoftheirmisbehavioronthevictims.Theschoolfacilitatesaconversationbetweenthe

offenderanvictim.Theschoolimplementsmeasurestopreventfuturemisbehavior.

DisciplinePoliciesRightKnowt

Schoolscreateindividualizedplanstohelppreventstudentmisbehavior.Theplansshouldincludeinterventionsbasedonthestudent'sneedsandtheseverityofthemisbehavior.

FactorstoConsider

Restorative Justice

AlternativestoExclusionaryDiscipline

Behavior

11

Schoolspromoteemotionalhealthasawaytopreventstudentmisbehavior.

Trauma Centered

PBIS

Due Process

LEAsdifferinhowtheyinterpretdueprocessrights.Forexample,someschoolsallowstudentstoappealtoathirdpartywhileothersdonot.

https://osse.dc.gov/page/discipline-report.

Formoreinformation,visithttps://attendance.dc.gov/.

Ifthestudentis13yearsoldoryounger,theschoolmustrefer

thefamilytotheChildandFamilyServicesAgencyandconduct

immediateinterventiontoaddressthestudent’sneeds

aftertenconsecutiveunexcusedabsences.

10

AttendanceThefollowingarehelpfulpointstorememberwhenconsideringschoolattendance.

RightKnowt

13

1

5

20

2

25

Afterfiveunexcusedabsences,theschool

MUSTnotifytheparentorguardian

withintwodays.

Afteroneunexcusedabsence,theschool

MUSTmakepersonalcontactwiththeparent

orguardian.

Afterfiveunexcusedabsencesinagrading

period,theschoolbasedsupportteamMUSTmeetwithin4daystodevelop

aninterventionplan.

Ifthestudentis13yearsoldoryounger,theschoolmustreferthefamilytothe

ChildandFamilyServicesAgencyaftertwentyunexcusedabsences

orwheneducationalneglectissuspected.

Ifthestudentis13yearsoldorolder,theschoolmustreferthefamilytotheSuperiorCourtand

theOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralafter25unexcused

absences.

Attendance

Studentsmustbepresentfor6hoursofthedayinordertobecountedpresent.

Ifastudentistardyormisses20%of

theschoolday,theywillbemarked

absentforthewholeday.

Schoolsmayun-enrolla

studentafter20

unexcusedabsences.

Schoolscannotsuspendorexpelastudentasa

consequencetounexcusedtardiesor

absences.

EachLEAdetermineshowmanytardiesequalsanabsence.

*DCPSstudentswhoareout-of-boundaryorattendaselectiveschoolmaybeuninvitedtore-enrollduetoexcessivetardies.**Charterstudentsmaybeuninvitedtore-enrollduetoexcessivetardies.

TardinesstRightKnow

SchoolstarttimesinDCvarybyschoolandtype;checkyourschool'shandbookforexacttimes.


Attendance

14


ExcusedAbsences

Illnessorotherbonafidemedicalcauseexperiencedbythestudent;

Exclusion,bydirectionoftheauthoritiesoftheDistrictofColumbia,duetoquarantine,contagiousdisease,infection,infestation,orotherconditionrequiringseparationfromotherstudentsformedicalorhealthreasons;

Deathinthestudent’sfamily;

Necessityforastudenttoattendjudiciaryoradministrativeproceedingsasapartytotheactionorundersubpoena;

Observanceofareligiousholiday;

Lawfulsuspensionorexclusionfromschoolbyschoolauthorities;

Temporaryclosingoffacilitiesorsuspensionofclassesduetosevereweather,officialactivities,holidays,malfunctioningequipment,unsafeorunsanitaryconditions,orothercondition(s)oremergencyrequiringaschoolclosingorsuspensionofclasses;

Employmentorothervolunteerworkapprovedbytheschool,providedthatthestudentisseventeen(17)yearsofage,andprovidedfurtherthatanyexcusedabsencesunderthisparagraphshallnotadverselyimpactthestudent’sacademicperformanceortimelygraduation;

FailureoftheDistrictofColumbiatoprovidetransportationincaseswheretheDistrictofColumbiahasalegalresponsibilityforthetransportationofthestudent;Medicalordentalappointmentsforthestudent;

AnemergencyorothersetofcircumstancesapprovedbyanLEA,independent,privateorparochialschool(inaccordancewithpoliciesdistributedtoparentsandguardians).

Thefollowingisalistofabsencesthateachschoolmustacceptasexcused:

Aneducationinstitutioncan:1.addtothislistand2.requireawrittenstatementtoverifytheexcuse.Theschoolcanrequirethewrittenstatementbeforeoraftertheabsence.

RightKnowtAttendance

15

Thefollowingquestionsarehelpfulconversationstarterswhenconsideringenrollment.

DoIknowmyin-boundaryschool?HaveIregisteredformyin-boundaryschool?

DoIplanonremainingatmyin-boundaryschool?

HaveIvisitedMySchoolDC.org?HaveIcreatedanaccount?

DoIknowthetimelineforthecommonlotteryforDCpublicschools?HaveIappliedforthelottery?

Whatisimportantformeinaschool?(location,specialprograms,before/aftercare,uniforms,internationalbaccalaureate,duallanguageimmersion)

IsthereanythingabouttheenrollmentprocessthatIdonotunderstand?

WhatamInotaskingthatIshouldbe?

AreyouaDCPSschooloracharterschool?

Doyouofferpreferencesforenrollment?Ifso,whatarethey?

IsyourinformationonMySchoolDC.orgaccurate/up-to-date?

Doyouparticipateinthelottery?Ifnot,howdoIapply?

MayIaccessyourstudenthandbookonline?MayIsitdownwithsomeonetodiscussitbeforeIregistermystudent?

Doyouhaveanopenhouseforpotentialfamilies?Arethereadditionalwaysformetoseethestaffandreviewthecurriculum?


Askyourself

Askyourteacher

RightKnowt

Enrollment

Formoreinformationaboutschools/enrollment,visithttps://myschooldc.org.Forinformationaboutout-of-schooltimeopportunities,visithttps://learn24.dc.gov.

Enrollment

16

Transit

Before/After Care

Language

Uniforms

Feeder Schools

StudentsinDCridepublictransportationforfree,transportationwillonlybeprovidedbytheschoolaspartofspecialeducationservices.

Someschoolsallowparentstodropstudentsoffearlyorpickstudentsuplater.Someoftheschoolsthatofferbefore/aftercarechargeafee.Insomecases,thatfeecanbecoveredorsupplementedbyavoucher.

SomeelementaryschoolsofferalanguageotherthanEnglishasaprogramorclassoption.

Notallpublicschoolsrequirestudentswearuniforms.Aschoolthatrequiresuniformsmaynotallowastudentwhoisnotinuniformtoattendhis/herclasses.

EachDCPSelementaryschoolhasamiddleandhighschooltowhichitsstudentsautomaticallyreceiveaninvitationtoattend.Somecharterschoolshavesimilarpartnership/agreementinplace.

Factorstoconsider:

ServiceprovidersthatarenotDCPSorwithinacharterschoolusetheOSSEEarlyLearning

Standardswhichsetthecurriculumandthe

student/teacherratiorequirements.

CharterSchools DCPS

Pre-K3andPre-K4RightKnowt

Specialized Schools

Community-BasedOrganizations

Eachcharterschooldevelopsitsown

curriculumforpre-K3andpre-K4.Some

chartersusethefederalHeadStartEarly

LearningOutcomesFramework.

DCPSusesthefederalHeadStartEarly

LearningOutcomesFrameworkwhichsetsthecurriculumandthestudent/teacherratio

requirements.

MontessoriandReggioEmiliaapproachesutilizeatypeoflearningthatfocusesonsupportingstudentsastheylearnmorefreelyandindependently.MostMontessorielementaryschoolsrequirethatthestudenthaveattendedaMontessoripre-kindergarten.

FactorstoConsider

Formoreinformation,visithttps://osse.dc.gov/page/how-find-pre-kindergarten-program/orhttp://www.myschooldc.org/.

Enrollment

17

Formoreinformation,visithttps://osse.dc.gov/service/education-homeless-children-and-youth-program.

“Homelessstudents”includestudentswho:

Homelessness

Lackafixed,regular,andadequatenighttimeresidence;

Sharethehousingofotherpersonsduetolossofhousing,economichardship,orsimilarreason.;

Resideinhotels,motels,trailerparks,orcampinggroundsduetolackofalternativeadequateaccommodations;

Liveinemergencyortransitionalshelter(includingDCtransitionalhousing);

Areabandonedinhospitalsorawaitingfostercareplacement;Haveaprimarynighttimeresidencethatisnotdesignedfor,orordinarilyusedasaregularsleepingaccommodationforhumanbeings;

ArenotinthephysicalcustodyofaparentorguardianANDmeetanyoftheabovecircumstances;OR

Aremigratorychildrenwhoarelivinginthecircumstancesdescribedabove.

Thefollowingarehelpfulconversationstarterswhenfacinghomelessness.

TheMcKinney–VentoHomelessAssistanceActisafederalactthatensuresassistancetohomeless

familiesastheynavigatethepubliceducationsystem.

Basedonthebestinterestofthestudent,theLEAshall...

Assistthestudentin

obtainingnecessaryimmunizations,medicalrecords,uniforms,orothernecessitiesfor

school.

ImmediatelyenrollthestudentintheneighborhoodschoolIfnotcurrentlyenrolledin

aschool.

TheDistrictofColumbiaensuresthatallhomelesschildrenandyouthwillhaveaccesstoandbeenabledtoparticipatefullyinalleducationalprogramsforwhichtheyareeligibleandinterested.

RightKnowRightKnowt

Continuethestudent’s

educationatthestudent’scurrent

school.

Immediatelyenrollthestudentintheneighborhood

schoolIfnotcurrentlyenrolledinaschool.

Immediatelyenrollthehomelessstudentevenifthestudentisunabletoproducerecords

normallyrequiredforenrollment.

Enrollment

18

Formoreinformation,visithttps://sboe.dc.gov/node/1153932.

Thefollowingquestionsarehelpfulconversationstarterswhenconsideringspecialeducationservices.

DoIsuspectthatmystudenthasadisabilitythatmaymakemystudenteligibleforanIndividualEducationPlan?

HaveIrequestedtheschoolevaluatemychildforadisability?Wasthisrequestorallyorinwriting?

DoIhavedocumentationofmyrequestfortheevaluationofmystudent?

DoIhavethedatesofallofthemeetings?AmIpreparedtoattend?

DoIneedanadvocatepresentinthemeeting?

HaveIreadandkeptacopyofallofthepaperworkIhavereceivedand/orsigned?

HaveIprovidedtheschoolwithalloftherequestedinformation?

AmIawarethatmystudent’sschoolcouldbechangediftheschoolcannotaccommodatemystudent’sdisability?


Whatdatahaveyoualreadycollectedtodeterminemystudentneedsmoreintensivesupport?

DoyouunderstandthatIhaverequestedformystudenttobeevaluatedforadisabilitythatnegativelyimpactsmychild’sabilitytolearn?

Haveyoudocumentedmyrequest?

WhatcanIexpectnext?

WhowillcontactmeandwhocanIcontactifIhavequestionsaboutthisprocess?

WhatisthereasonableamountoftimethatIcanreceivetheinformedconsentrequestform,thepriorwrittennoticeoftesting,andtheproceduralsafeguards?

Istheremoreinformationyouneedfromme?

Aretheredisabilitiesthatyouareunabletoaccommodateinthisenvironment?


Askyourself Askyour

teacher

RightKnowRightKnowt

SpecialEducation

19

SpecialEducation

EligibilityforSection504andIDEA

AllChildren

AllChildrenwithdisabilities

Section504-ChildrenwithphysicalormentalimpairmentsthatsubstantiallylimitamajorlifefunctionbutwhodonotmeettherequirementstoqualifyforanIEP.Theyreceivea504plan.

IDEA-Childrenwithdisabilitiesthatmeetatleastoneofthe13qualifyingdisabilitycategoriesrecognizedbyIDEAwhoneedspecialeducationandrelatedservices.ThesechildrenreceiveanIEP.

Sectio 504&IDEAA - -Glanc

20

SpecialEducation

Landscap &Lawi DC

5,000

14%

8,000

LearningDisability

Inclusion

Studentswhoreceivespecialeducationandrelatedservices(vs.13%nationalaverage)

SpecialeducationstudentsintraditionalDCpublicschools(DCPS)

SpecialeducationstudentsinDCpubliccharterschools

Mostcommondisabilitytype

Moststudentsinspecialeducationspendmostoftheirdayingeneraleducationclasses

approx.

approx.

roughly

Righttocopiesofevaluation&draftIEPs5businessdaysbeforemeeting

RighttocopiesoffinalIEPswithin5businessdaysaftermeeting

Righttoobservechildincurrentplacement&observeproposedplacement

(canalsohavesomeonedothisonparent'sbehalf)

In2014,DCCouncilpassedalegislativepackagethatoverhauledspecialeducation.Thislegislationincludes:SpecialEducation

StudentRightsAct,EnhancedSpecialEducationServicesAct,andSpecialEducationQualityImprovementAct.

SpecialEducationStudentRightsAct

EnhancedSpecialEducationServicesAct

SpecialEducationQualityImprovementAct

designedtoprovideclearresponsibilityandincreasedoversightformoree ectivespecialeducationprograms

Childrenreferredforspecialeducationevaluationmustbeevaluatedwithin60daysfromparentconsentor90daysfromreferral

21

SpecialEducation

or IEP504PlanWhat'sInTheProgram/Plan?

***504plansareflexible,meaningthatitcanincludemanythingsanIEPincludes;however,thisflexibilityalsomeansthattheschoolhasdiscretion(withparentinput)todecidewhatneedstobeincludedintheplan.

MayInclude:child'spresentlevelsofacademicandfunctionalperformanceannualeducationgoalsandhowthey'retrackedservicesthechildwillreceivetimingofservices(when,howlong,howoften)accommodations(changestothelearningenvironment)modifications(changestowhatthechildisexpectedtolearntimespentingeneraleducationv.specialeducationclassrooms

specificaccommodations,supports,orservicesnamesofwhoprovideservicesnameofpersonresponsibleforensuringimplementationoftheplan

MustInclude:

or IEP504PlanWhatIsIt?

A504Planisaplanforhowachildwithadisabilityorimpairmentwill

beprovidedwitha"FreeAppropriatePublicEducation"toensureachildhasthesame

accesstothelearningenvironmentastheirnon-

impairedpeers.

AnIEP(IndividualizedEducationProgram)isaplanforhowachildwithaqualifyingdisabilitywillbeprovideda"FreeAppropriatePublicEducation"toensureachildcanmakemeaningful

educationalprogress.

SpecialEducation

22

23

SpecialEducation

Chil nChildFindistheprocessthatensuresallchildrenwithdisabilitiesandinneedofspecialeducationandrelatedservicesareidentified,located,andevaluated.

Age/GradeLevel AgencyResponsible

Birthto21/2yearsold

21/2yearsoldtoKindergarten

1stGradethroughHighSchool

OSSE:StrongStartBirthto21/2yearsold

DCPSEarlyStages

charterPKproviders

LEA&IndividualSchool

Dependingonthechild'sage,responsibilityshiftsfromdi erentagencies:

(withsupportfromOSSE,ifneeded)

or

Procedura Safeguard

IDEAprovidesanextensiverangeofproceduralsafeguardsforparentsshouldtheybelievethattherehasbeenadenialofFAPE:

FormalMediationStateComplaintDueProcessComplaint

Asthestateeducationagency,theO ceoftheStateSuperintendentofEducation(OSSE)'sO ceofDisputeResolutionhelpsensurethatschoolsdonotviolatefederalandlocalspecialeducationlaw.ParentsmayfileacomplaintwithOSSEtoinitiateaninvestigationofpotentialdenialofFAPE.

OSSEStateComplaintsO ce

OSSEO ceofDisputeResolution

https://osse.dc.gov/service/specialized-education-state-complaints

https://osse.dc.gov/service/o ce-dispute-resolution-odr

202-742-7860

202-698-3819

Formoreinformation,visithttps://sboe.dc.gov/node/1153932.

ResponsetoIntervention

WhoisontheResponsetoIntervention(RTI)Team?

WhorefersastudenttoRTI?

DoesRTImeanmychildisbeingtrackedforspecialeducation?

HowlongisheRTIprocess?DoesmychildhavetocompletetheRTIprocessbeforeIcanrequestanevaluationforspecialeducation?

Whatinterventionshaveyoualreadystartedtoensurethesuccessofmystudent?

WhendoesRTIbegin?HowoftenwillIbeupdatedonRTIprogress?

WhattypeofeducationalinterventionsareprovidedduringtheRTIprocess?WhattypeofpositivebehaviorsupportsareprovidedduringtheRTIprocess?

Howdoyoumonitorthesuccessofinterventions?Howoftendoyoumonitormystudent’sprogress?

WhenaretheRTImeetings?MayIbepresent?HowwillIbenotifiedofthefindings?


Thefollowingarehelpfulconversationstarterswhenconsideringacademicorbehavioralinterventions.

Responsetointervention(RTI)isaprocessusedbyeducatorstohelpstudentswhoarestrugglingwithaskillorlesson;everyteacherwilluseinterventions(asetofteachingprocedures)withanystudenttohelpthemsucceedintheclassroom—it's

notjustforchildrenwithspecialneedsoralearningdisability.*

*https://www.specialeducationguide.com/pre-k-12/response-to-intervention/

RightKnowt

24

SpecialEducation

Click

ResourceTools

ONLINESUPPORT

Advocacy&LobbyingToolkitAttendance&TruancyBehavioral&MentalHealthDistrictGovernanceStructureEffectiveCommunicationEnrollmentGraduationRequirementsHomelessness

ParentLeadershipToolkitRighttoKnowAskSheetsSafePassageSpecialEducation&OtherSchoolSupportsStudentLeadershipTesting&Assessments

Headto

Explore

www.studentadvocate.dc.gov

Informational&AdvocacyResourcesandTools

OurResourceTools

25

CommunityResourcesGuide

Onourwebsitewehostacomprehensiveresourceguidewithover400resourcescategorizedinto20+differenttopicareas.Foramorecomprehensivelistof

resourcesandsupports,pleasevisitourwebsiteathttps://studentadvocate.dc.gov.

*ThisParent&FamilyGo-ToGuideisalsoavailableonline.

NumberstoKnow

Needtogiveusacallforimmediateassistance?

OfficeoftheStateSuperintendentofEducation......................................(202)727-6436OSSEDivisionofTransportationParentResourceCenter........................(202)576-5000OmbudsmanforPublicEducation..........................................................(202)741-0886DCPSGrievance....................................................................................(202)442-5405MySchoolDC........................................................................................(202)888-6336PublicCharterSchoolBoard..................................................................(202)328-2660DeputyMayorforEducation...................................................................(202)727-3636

RFALine:202.741.4692

OurRequestforAssistance(RFA)LineoperatesMondaythroughFridayfrom9am-5pm.Ourstaffmembersanswerliveandarepreparedtoansweranyquestionsorconcerns

youmayhaveregardingyourstudentorpubliceducationintheDistrict.

TheOfficeoftheStudentAdvocatewasestablishedbytheCounciloftheDistrictofColumbiathroughthe

ParentandStudentEmpowermentActof2013.Theofficeprovidesguidanceandresourcesupportsforfamiliesinordertoassisttheminnavigatingourcomplex

systemofpubliceducationinDC.

Formoreinformation,visitstudentadvocate.dc.gov.

TheOfficeoftheStudentAdvocateisanindependentofficehousedwithintheDCStateBoardofEducation.

GO-TO GUIDE PARENT & FAMILY - | sboe · 2018-11-20 · What can I do at home to help my child...

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