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Network of Inclusive Catholic Educators ConferenceIDEA Private School Obligations

PresentationNovember 5, 2010

Rosalia F. Gallo Claudia Leary

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Presentation Goals

• IDEA Overview• IDEA related to Non-public schools• Child Find Requirements• Meaningful consultation with private

school representative and representatives of parents

• State of Florida Regulations• District Implementation

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IDEA Stand Up / Sit Down

1. Stand up if you know what is IDEA.

2. Stand up if you know the regulations related to IDEA and students in private schools.

3. Stand up if you are a parent of a student with disabilities in a private school.

4. Stand up if your child was eligible for a special education program in the public school system.

5. Stand up if you are a school administrator in a private school.

6. Stand up if you work in the public school system.

7. Stand up if you are here from a state other than Florida.

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• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.

• http://idea.ed.gov

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IDEA

• Child Find

• Determine Eligibility for Special Education Program

• Free and Appropriate Public Education

• Least Restrictive Environment

• Individual Education Plan

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300.131

IDEA CFR § 300.131 -300.144

IDEA 2004

• Beginning July 1, 2005, each local educational agency (LEA) must conduct child find, determine the proportionate share of IDEA Part B funds, and provide equitable services to parentally-placed private school children with disabilities who attend private schools located in the district of the LEA without regard to where the child resides.

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What about students with disabilities in private schools?

• Although there is no individual entitlement to a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities who have been enrolled by their parents in private schools, school districts have an obligation to ensure that such private school students have an opportunity to participate in programs assisted or carried out under Part B of the IDEA.

Calculating the Proportionate Share of IDEA Funds

• The proportionate share is based on a per student allocation calculated by dividing the total IDEA part B funds by the total eligible students (public and private together).

• Per student allocation is then multiplied by the number of eligible parentally-placed private school students.

• To be counted toward the proportionate share calculation, students must have been identified as a child with a disability and must have a current evaluation (3-years) as of December 1.

• A snapshot of the student evaluation status is taken between October 1 – December 1 annually.

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Who are the eligible students that get counted for the funding calculation?

Child

Fin

d Pr

oced

ures

Suspected of having a disability• Parent referred to corresponding

public school• All documentation submitted to

the public school• Team Meeting• Evaluation• Eligibility MeetingPrivate evaluation • Parent referred to corresponding

public school• All documentation submitted to

the public school• Team Meeting• Review of private evaluation and

other data • Eligibility Meeting

Initial Eligibility for SPED

• A reevaluation is a meeting to review the student’s current performance as evidenced by data provided by the parent and the school.

• Team determines if any additional data or formal testing is needed to determine if the child continues to have a disability and his/her educational needs.

• This does not change or alter the McKay Scholarship Program.

• Participants include a school psychologist, special education teacher, parent, and private school teacher. Others may be included as needed.

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3-Year Reevaluation Meetings

• A reevaluation is a meeting to review the student’s current performance as evidenced by data provided by the parent and the school.

• Team determines if any additional data or formal testing is needed to determine if the child continues to have a disability and his/her educational needs.

• Participants include a school psychologist, special education teacher, parent, and private school teacher. Others may be included as needed.

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3-Year Reevaluation

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IDEA Provisions

Public School Entitlement

• Individual Educational Plan– Free appropriate public

education (FAPE)

Private School Non-Entitlement

• Meaningful Consultation– non-profit – services and supports

For Profit Non-Public Schools

Entitled to child find activities

Non-Profit Non-Public Schools

Entitled to child find activities

Supports and services provided to eligible students through the proportionate share requirement, as a result of meaningful

consultation.

IDEA

For Profit Non-Public Schools

Entitled to child find activities

McKay Scholarship Program

Non-Profit Non-Public Schools

Entitled to child find activities

McKay Scholarship Program

Supports and services provided to eligible students through the proportionate share requirement, as a

result of meaningful consultation.

IDEA in Florida

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http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org

McKay Scholarship Program

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School District Implementation

• Services are based on needs as communicated through meaningful consultation with private school representative and representatives of parents.

• Services vary from district to district.

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IDEA Private School Obligations Miami-Dade County Public Schools

• Child Find – Initial Eligibility – 3 Year Reevaluation

• Meaningful Consultation – Schools– Parents– Needs assessment

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M-DCPS Services 2010-2011

• Instructional Workshops• Laptops• Software• Parent Workshops• Interactive Boards• Instructional & Access Materials,

Equipment and Supplies• Universal Access Materials • In-School Academic Instructional Support• Consultation

http://privateschoolsidea.dadeschools.net

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Questions?