602.15 - Special Education
602.15 - Special EducationThe board recognizes some students have different educational needs than other students. The board shall provide a free appropriate public education program and related services to students identified in need of special education. The special education services will be provided from birth until the appropriate education is completed, age twenty-one or to maximum age allowable in accordance with the law.
Students requiring special education shall attend general education classes, participate in nonacademic and extracurricular services and activities, and receive services in a general education setting to the maximum extent appropriate to the needs of each individual student. The appropriate education for each student shall be written in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Special education students shall be required to meet the requirements stated in board policy or in their IEPs for graduation. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent and the area education agency director of special education to provide or make provisions for appropriate special education and related services.
Children from birth through age 2 and children age 3 through age 5 shall be provided comprehensive special education services within the public education system. The school district shall work in conjunction with the area education agency to provide services, at the earliest appropriate time, to children with disabilities from birth through age 2. This shall be done to ensure a smooth transition of children entitled to early childhood special education services.
(June 15, 1992; October 16, 2000; January 17, 2011, July 9, 2012; January 19, 2015; October 21, 2019)
602.15 E1 - Provisions for Students with Disabilities Under Section 504
602.15 E1 - Provisions for Students with Disabilities Under Section 504Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability in any program receiving federal financial assistance. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and its subsequent amendments, also require that program services and activities provided by the South Tama County Community School District may not discriminate on the basis of disability for students in the educational program.
A person with a disability is defined as anyone who:
- has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working;
- has a record of such impairment; or
- is regarded as having such an impairment.
The South Tama County Community School District acknowledges its responsibility under Section 504 and the ADA to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its programs, activities, students, and personnel. Therefore, the South Tama County Community School District prohibits discrimination against any person with a disability because of that person’s disability in any program, activity, or other educational benefit. This prohibition applies to all students, employees, volunteers, and others contractors with the school district.
Under Section 504, the school district has the responsibility to identify, evaluate, and, if the student is determined to be eligible under Section 504, to afford access to appropriate educational services. If the parent or person in parental relationship disagrees with the determination made by the professional staff of the school district, he/she has a right to a hearing with an impartial hearing officer.
The superintendent of schools shall serve as the STC District Section 504 and the ADA Coordinator. The superintendent shall have authority to make regulations and procedures to implement the intent of this policy.
(April 18, 1994; July 7, 2003; January 17, 2011, July 9, 2012; January 19, 2015; October 21, 2019)