KEARNY BOARD OF EDUCATION                                 File Code:   6171.10

Kearny , New Jersey    07032

Policy  

               PARTICIPATION OF AND CONSULTATION WITH THE PARENT(S) OF

      EDUCATIONALLY HANDICAPPED PUPILS TOWARD THE GOAL OF PROVIDING

     FULL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO ALL EDUCATIONALLY HANDICAPPED

                                              PUPILS, AGES BIRTH THROUGH 21

The Kearny Board of Education hereby adopts the policy that the district board of education assures the participation of and consultation with the parent(s) of educationally handicapped pupils toward the goal of providing full educational opportunity to all educationally handicapped pupils ages birth through 21.

The procedures used to implement the above policy shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

a) Written notice which meets the requirements of this section shall be provided to the parent(s)

     when the Kearny Board of Education:

     1.        Proposes to initiate or change the classification, evaluation or educational placement of the pupil or the provision of a free, appropriate pupil education to the pupil.

     2.        Requests consent to conduct an initial evaluation or for initial implementation of a special education program and/or related services.

     3.        Schedules a meeting to determine a pupil’s eligibility for special education and/or related services or to develop an individualized education program.

     4.        Plans to conduct a re-evaluation; or

     5.        Approves or denies the written request of the parent(s) to initiate or change the classification, evaluation or educational placement of the pupil or the provision of a free, appropriate public education to the pupil.

b) Written notice, according to (a) 1 through 5 above shall be provided to the parent(s) no later

     than 15 calendar days after making a determination and in no event less than 15 calendar days

     prior to the date for implementation, unless the parent(s) otherwise consents.  If the parent(s)

     consents to implementation before the 15 days have elapsed, documentation of such consent

     shall be maintained.

c) On receipt of any written parental request, written notice shall be provided to the parent(s)

     within 30 calendar days.

d) Each notice shall be written in language understandable to the general public and shall include:

     1.        A description of the action proposed or denied by the Kearny Board of Education including:

a.      An explanation of why it is taking such action; and

                b.      A description of any options the Kearny Board of Education considered and the

         reasons why those options were rejected.

     2.        A description of the procedures, tests, records or reports and factors used by the Kearny Board of Education in determining whether to propose or deny an action.

     3.        A full explanation of the parental rights to appeal and the process of appealing a Kearny Board of Education’s proposal or denial of an action according to N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.7 and N.J.A.C. 1:6A.

Participation of and consultation with the parent(s) of educationally handicapped pupils toward the goal of providing full educational opportunity to all educationally handicapped pupils ages birth through 21

File Code    6171.10                                                                            Page 2

e) The Kearny Board of Education shall take steps to ensure that the parent(s) is given the

     opportunity to participate in:

     1.        Evaluation of the pupil.

     2.        The determination of the pupil’s eligibility for special education and/or related services.

     3.        The development of an individualized education program according to N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.6.

     4.        The annual review.

f) Meetings shall be conducted to determine eligibility and to develop, review and revise the basic

    plan of a pupil’s individualized education program.

    1.         Each meeting shall include the following participants:

n            The parent(s)

n            Teacher(s) having knowledge of the pupil’s educational  performance

n            The pupil, where appropriate

n            At least one member of the Child Study Team

n            Referring certified school personnel, the school principal or designee and other appropriate individuals if they choose to participate

n            A curriculum consultant from the Department of Human Services, for those pupils classified as eligible for day training

     2.        Meetings shall be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time and place.

     3.        Notice of meetings shall indicate the purpose, time, location and participants.

     4.        If the parent(s) cannot attend the meeting(s), the chief school administrator or designee shall attempt to ensure parental participation, including the use of individual or conference telephone calls.  Documentation shall be maintained of all attempts to secure parental participation.

     5.        A meeting may be conducted without the parent(s) in attendance if the Kearny Board of Education is unable to secure the participation of the parent(s).

g)            An adult pupil shall be given notice and participation in meetings according to (a) through (f) above.

h)            When requesting consent to conduct an initial evaluation or for initial implementation of a special education program and/or related services for an adult pupil, consent shall be obtained from the adult pupil and notice shall be provided to the adult pupil and his or her parent(s).

i.                     Adult pupils shall be given a copy of this chapter and a copy of N.J.A.C. 1:6A upon attainment of the eighteenth birthday.

Amended:     February 18, 2000    

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