603.3 - Special Education

The board recognizes some students have different educational needs than other students.  The board will 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 will 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 is written in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Special education students are required to meet the requirements listed for special education students in IASB sample policy 505.05 – Graduation Requirements and in their IEPs for graduation.  It is 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 are provided comprehensive special education services within the public education system.  The school district will 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 is done to ensure a smooth transition of children entitled to early childhood special education services.
 

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy and reflects state and federal law.  For more detailed discussion of this issue, see IASB's Policy Primers, Vol. 20 #7 – Dec. 4, 2008 and 13 #3- Jan. 22, 2001.

Cross References