WASHTENAW COUNTY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Transcription

1 WASHTENAW COUNTY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT Intermediate School District Plan For the Delivery of Special Education Programs and Services March 2006

2 Washtenaw Intermediate School District Special Education County Plan Table of Contents Document Endorsement 1-2 Content Areas Section A Special Education Opportunities and Procedures 3 Section B Activities and Outreach Methods for Awareness of Services 3 Section C Types of Diagnostic Services 4 Section D Continuum of Programs and Services 4 Management of Special Education Programs and Services Section E ISD Plan Approval 5-6 Section F Alternative Programs 7 Section G Qualified Personnel (Paraprofessional) 7 Section H Transportation 7 Section I Distribution of Funds 7-9 Section J Local districts and public school academy administrators responsible for the implementation of special education programs and services 10 Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Section K PAC Rules and Responsibilities 11 Section L Organizational Structure of the PAC 12 Section M Administrative Relationship with the PAC 12 Section N Fiscal & Staff Resources Available to the PAC 12 Additional Plan Content Section O Surrogate Parent Plan 13 Appendix

3 The following plan for special education services and programs was developed in cooperation with the Washtenaw Intermediate School District and each of its constituent Local School Districts, Public School Academies and Parent Advisory Committee. DOCUMENT ENDORSEMENT Pursuant to Rules (a) and of the Revised Administrative Rules for Special Education, as amended, each intermediate school district plan or modification thereof shall be signed by all of the following: The Intermediate School District superintendent signifying approval by the Intermediate School District board of education. The superintendent of each constituent school district and the director of each public school academy signifying that his or her school district has been involved in the development of the plan. My signature indicates my school district has been involved in the development of the Washtenaw ISD Plan for Special Education Services and Programs in cooperation with the Parent Advisory Committee, constituent school districts, public school academies and the Intermediate School District. I have been advised that I file my objections to the Plan in accordance with procedures addressed in Rule Do to confidentiality all signatures are on file at Michigan Department of Education and Washtenaw Intermediate School District. Chelsea Dexter Lincoln Manchester Milan Saline Whitmore Lake 1

4 Willow Run Ypsilanti WISD Parent Advisory Chair Committee Parent Advisory Chair Elect Committee Public School Academy Dean Public School Academy Principal AA Learning Comm. Central Academy East Washtenaw Multi Public School Academy Principal Cultural Academy Public School Academy Principal Fortis Academy Honey Creek Public School Academy Executive Public School Academy Public School Academy Principal New Beginnings South Arbor Academy Wash. Tech. Middle Public School Academy Dean College 2

5 R An Intermediate School District plan for special education, or any modification thereof, shall be an operational plan that sets forth the special education programs and related services to be delivered. The plan shall comply with 1976 PA 451, MCL et seq. and these rules. CONTENT AREAS A. Special Education Opportunities and Procedures The Special Education information for Parents Handbook is used as a means for communicating a list of organizations, special education representatives, and procedural safeguards to parents of children suspected and/or are identified as requiring special education services. In addition, this handbook outlines for parents and the community the special education opportunities (required under law) in the Washtenaw ISD. The handbooks are distributed by special education staff in each district. Public Awareness The Washtenaw ISD assumes primary responsibility for Child Find activities and outreach for children birth to 5. The Washtenaw ISD s Early On Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating Child Find activities and outreach. All local school districts will assume responsibility for in-school and out-of-school students up to the age of 26 through the special education programs/services and establish cooperative liaisons with other agencies and professionals who may be potential referral sources. B. Activities and Outreach Methods for Awareness of Services Procedures for identifying Potential Special Education Students The procedures for identifying potential school-age special education students may include review of existing school records and interagency collaboration for referral of student dropouts, Michigan Project Find materials, Early On information, and Special Education information for Parents Handbook. The Washtenaw ISD and the local districts are responsible for conducting Child Find activities for all eligible ages. The Child Find Coordinator is responsible for establishing contact with liaison personnel and the dissemination of information that will make the public aware of Child Find. The methods of dissemination include: Annual advertisements in local newspapers or on local radio. Pre-school screenings for 3 5 year-old children at various sites within the ISD Early Education Services Childcare Area Healthcare agencies, hospitals, physicians Community Education/Migrant Programs Community Mental Health District Health Department Head Start Programs Local Schools County Community Services Parent Groups Private Nursery School & Kindergarten WISD website Libraries 3

6 C. Types of Diagnostic Services A variety of diagnostic services are available within the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. Certain services are provided by local school districts and public academies, others by Washtenaw ISD. Additionally, the Washtenaw Intermediate School District assures that copies of contracts or services agreement (per Section (1)(b) of the School Code are on file at the Washtenaw ISD and available for review. See the charts in appendix A outlining the programs/services provided directly by each local school district and Public School Academy, those provided by the Washtenaw ISD, and those purchased or contracted from outside agencies and service providers. D. Continuum of Programs and Services The prevailing philosophy within the Washtenaw ISD is to serve each child with a disability in the least restrictive environment. This includes providing a continuum of educational services for children with mild to severe disabilities ranging in age from 0 through 25 years. These services include classroom programs, and support services designed to meet the individual needs of children with disabilities. The Individualized Education Program Team (IEPT) shall consider that all children should have the opportunity to be educated together, regardless of disabilities, in the school he or she would attend if the child did not have a disability, unless otherwise determined appropriate through the IEPT process. The Washtenaw ISD, all constituent districts and public school academies review special education caseloads and referrals on an annual basis to determine staffing needs. Classroom programs for students with Cognitive Impairments (CI), Severe Cognitive Impairments (SCI), or severe multiple impairments (SXI), located in separate facilities, are operated with an expanded age span under Rule (d), up to 11 years. Forest Avenue School (for students with severe emotional impairments (SEI); operated by Ypsilanti Public Schools) is a separate facility. Vocational training programs are available for students with disabilities. The vocational training programs are operated by local public school agencies, cooperatively or individually. The WISD assures that the following services should be considered for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A consultant knowledgeable about ASD and programming for students with ASD will be available to the teacher and support staff to assist in meeting the unique individual needs of the student. In-service education to all special education staff responsible for the education of students with ASD. The in-service education shall be provided in the following areas: Syndrome of ASD, including its etiology; Child development, with special emphasis on language, communication, and cognitive development; Behavioral management techniques; Systematic curriculum development, with special emphasis on personal adjustment and prevocational education; Home/school interactions, and; Family and community support services 4

7 MANAGEMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES E ISD Plan Approval The Washtenaw ISD plan shall be approved by Michigan s of Public Instruction before implementation under Rule (1). The Washtenaw ISD plan shall be developed and approved under Rules through Washtenaw County Administrators Special Education Department District Washtenaw ISD Washtenaw ISD 1819 S. Wagner Road 1819 S. Wagner Road P.O. Box 1406 P.O. Box 1406, MI , MI Public Schools Public Schools of Student Support Services 2555 South State Street 2555 South State Street P.O. Box 1188 P.O. Box 1188, MI , MI Chelsea School District Chelsea School District Assistant 500 East Washington Street 500 East Washington Street Chelsea, Chelsea, Dexter Community Schools Dexter Community Schools 7714 Road 7714 Road Dexter, MI Dexter, MI Lincoln Consolidated Schools Lincoln Consolidated Schools 8970 Whittaker Road 8970 Whittaker Road Ypsilanti, MI Ypsilanti, MI Manchester Community Schools Manchester Community Schools 710 East Main Street 710 East Main Street Manchester, MI Manchester, MI Milan Area Schools Milan Area Schools 100 Big Red Drive 100 Big Red Drive Milan, MI Milan, MI Saline Area Schools Saline Area Schools 200 North Street 200 North Street Saline, MI Saline, MI

8 Whitmore Lake Public Schools Whitmore Lake Public Schools 8845 Main Street 8845 Main Street Whitmore Lake, MI Whitmore Lake, MI Willow Run Community Schools Willow Run Community Schools 2171 East Michigan Avenue 2171 East Michigan Avenue Ypsilanti, MI Ypsilanti, MI Ypsilanti Public Schools Ypsilanti Public Schools 1885 Packard Road 1885 Packard Road Ypsilanti, MI Ypsilanti, MI Public School Academy Learning Community Central Academy Dean Principal 2898 Packard Road 2459 South Industrial Hwy, MI 48108, MI East Washtenaw Multicultural Academy Fortis Academy Principal Principal 5550 Platt Road 3875 Golfside, MI Ypsilanti, MI Honey Creek Community School New Beginnings Academy Executive 1735 South Wagner Road 211 East Michigan Ave. P.O. Box 1406 Ypsilanti, MI 48198, MI South Arbor Charter Academy Washtenaw Technical Middle College Principal Dean 8200 Carpenter Road 4800 East Huron River Dr. Ypsilanti, MI P.O. Box D-1, MI

9 F. Alternative Programs Alternative educational or training programs may be identified as appropriate for students receiving special education services through the IEPT process. Center Occupational and Personalized Education (COPE) programs within Washtenaw County may be identified as part of a student's educational services, if determined appropriate by the IEPT. G. Qualified Personnel (Paraprofessional) Qualifications for paraprofessional personnel specifically follow and a of the Revised Administrative Rules for Special Education. In addition, the Washtenaw ISD, Public School Academics (PSA) and local school districts require paraprofessionals to possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and follow all state and federal requirements. H. Transportation Local school districts provide transportation for students attending local-and-intermediate-school district-operated special education programs, including special transportation as determined by the Individualized Education Planning Team. Transportation procedures are monitored on a continual basis by the local school district supervisors of transportation. I. Distribution of Funds Special education programs and services in Washtenaw County will be reimbursed through the special education millage funds. The WISD will use the added cost deduct formula defined in Part 6 of Michigan Special Education Rules. The priority for distribution of WISD special education millage is as follows: Full reimbursement for WISD-operated special education services and supports. Allocated reimbursement for administrative expenses incurred in the operation of special education (see Chapter IV of the State Board of Education approved document, "Accounting and Fiscal Reporting Requirements for Intermediate School District use of Special Education Funds"). Reimbursement to local districts for the operation of special education programs shall be on the basis of two separate formulas. One formula will reflect payment to local districts operating centralized programs. The second formula will reflect payment to those districts operating non-centralized programs. All programs are reimbursed on an added-cost basis. The specific formulas for centralized and non-centralized programs are as follows: 7

10 Centralized Programs Ypsilanti Public Schools: Program for students with Severe Emotional Impairments (SEI). The total eligible amount for reimbursement shall be the total amount of State-approved expenditures, within budget amounts approved by the Washtenaw s Association. From this amount shall be deducted: The total of the foundation grant collected by the district under Section 51(Specifically, the blended FTE count of students enrolled in the program on the pupil membership count days) times the foundation grant of Section 51. Section 51a reimbursement related to the operation of the program. Section 53 reimbursement related to the operation of the program. All federal funds related to the operation of the program. Tuition charged by the district for students placed in the program. WISD shall be responsible for the remaining amount to support students in this program. Public Schools: Program for students with Hearing Impairment (HI). The total eligible amount for reimbursement shall be the total amount of State-approved expenditures, within budget amounts approved by the Washtenaw s Association. From this amount shall be deducted: The total of the foundation grant collected by the district under Section 51 (specifically, the blended FTE count of students enrolled in the program on the pupil membership count days) times the foundation grant of Section 51. Section 51a reimbursement related to the operation of the program. Section 53 reimbursement related to the operation of the program. All federal funds related to the operation of the program. Tuition charged by the district for students placed in the program. WISD shall be responsible for the remaining amount to support students in this program. s of Special Education are eligible for allocated reimbursement. An ISD-wide reimbursement amount for all special education administration is approved by the Washtenaw s Association. The amount allocated to each district/psa is calculated using a base of $20,000 for each with a K-12 population in excess of 1,100 FTEs; additional reimbursement is calculated using the district/psa s K-12 FTE count, December 1 Special Education headcount and number of Medicaid eligible students, each in proportion to the ISDwide total. District/PSAs with less than 1,100 FTEs are allocated $10 per FTE. The total eligible amount for reimbursement shall be the total amount of State approved expenditures, up to the allocation determined above. From this amount shall be deducted Section 51 reimbursement related to the operation of the function. 8

11 WISD shall be responsible for the remaining amount to support the function of the local of Special Education. Costs related to educating students who are not residents of WISD constituent districts are not eligible for reimbursement from WISD millage (Rule and Section 105(18) for designation of residency). Non-Centralized Programs All other special education programs and services shall be considered non- centralized and shall be reimbursed on an added-cost basis. The total eligible amount for reimbursement shall be the total amount of State-approved expenditures not covered in Centralized Programs. From this amount shall be deducted: The total of the foundation grant collected by the district under Section 51 (specifically, the blended special education FTE of students enrolled in special education programs on the pupil membership count days) times the foundation grant of Section 51. Section 51a reimbursement related to the operation of special education programs and services. Section 53 reimbursement related to the operation of special education programs and services. All federal funds related to the operation of special education programs and services. The remaining amount shall be paid out by WISD on a prorated basis depending on the amount of available funds from the special education millage. Costs related to educating students who are not residents of WISD constituent districts are not eligible for reimbursement from WISD millage (Rule and Section 105(18) for designation of residency). 9

12 J. Local Districts and Public School Academies Administrators responsible for the implementation of special education programs and services. Representative District/PSA* Address Phone Number Local of Public 2555 S. State St. (734) Student Support Schools Local Chelsea School District 500 E. Washington St. (734) Chelsea Local Dexter Community 7714 St. (734) School District Dexter Local Lincoln Cons. School 8970 Whittaker Road (734) Ypsilanti, MI Local Manchester School 710 Main Street (734) District Manchester Local Milan Area Schools 920 North Street (734) Milan Local Saline Area Schools 200 N. St. (734) Saline Local Ypsilanti School District 1885 Packard Road (734) Ypsilanti Local Whitmore Lake Public 8845 Main Street (734) Schools Whitmore Lake Local Willow Run Comm E. Michigan Ave. (734) Schools Ypsilanti ISD Washtenaw ISD 1819 S. Wagner Rd. (734) Public School Learning 2898 Packard Rd. (734) Academy Dean Comm. Public School Academy Principal Central Academy 2459 S. Industrial Hwy. (734) Public School Academy Principal Public School Academy Principal Public School Academy Executive Public School Academy Public School Academy Principal Public School Academy Dean East Washtenaw Multicultural Academy Fortis Academy Honey Creek Community School New Beginnings Academy South Arbor Charter Academy Washtenaw Technical Middle College 5550 Platt Road 3875 Golfside Ypsilanti 1735 S. Wagner Rd. 211 E. Michigan Ave. Ypsilanti 8200 Carpenter Rd. Ypsilanti 4800 E. Huron River Dr. (734) (734) (734) (734) (734) (734) *Public School Academy 10

13 PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PAC) The Washtenaw ISD Board of Education will appoint the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) members. Appointments will be made from nominations from local district boards of education. The Washtenaw ISD staff assigned to work with the committee will advise local school district superintendents of PAC vacancies from their respective districts as they occur. When a vacancy or extended absence occurs, the respective local district and/or the Intermediate School District have the option of nominating/appointing a parent(s) of a child with disabilities to complete the term. K. PAC Rules and Responsibilities The WISD PAC exists to serve two basic functions: 1) to advise the WISD Board of Education on matters pertaining to special education; and to facilitate communication, awareness, and involvement between parents, local public school agency Boards of Education/Boards of s and the Intermediate School District, as required in Rule Plan Development. The Washtenaw ISD plan and amendments to such shall be developed in cooperation with the PAC. It shall be the responsibility of the WISD of Special Education Services or his/her designee to assure that the PAC members are provided with copies of the current Intermediate School District plan, subsequent and proposed amendments and deviation requests. Upon request, the WISD of Special Education Services or his/her designee will review the Intermediate School District plan with the PAC. At subsequent meetings, the PAC will review any changes in the plan and/or areas of concern from the PAC membership. The WISD of Special Education Services or his/her designee will develop a draft of the Intermediate School District plan to be presented to the PAC for reactions and suggestions. An attempt will be made to reconcile any differences that may exist. If these differences cannot be reconciled, the WISD of Special Education Services or his/her designee will advise the PAC of the objection process as defined by rule Prior to the submission date, the PAC Chairperson and Chair-Elect will be asked to sign the plan endorsement page indicating that the PAC has been involved in the development of the plan. The PAC will have a role in program evaluation through participation in the following: The WISD of Special Education Services or his/her designee will coordinate the annual parent survey, which is a part of the monitoring report, and brief the PAC regarding the results of the survey. The WISD of Special Education Services or his/her designee will review with the PAC the monitoring process, monitoring criteria and timelines for monitoring. The PAC Chairperson will receive copies of all deviation requests from local school districts and the Intermediate School District as required in Rule

14 L. Organizational Structure of the PAC The Washtenaw Intermediate School District Parent Advisory Committee has developed bylaws which define members roles and responsibilities and describes its operating structure. The mission of the PAC is the continuous improvement of special education student achievement. See appendix C for the organizational structure of the PAC. M. Administrative Relationship with the PAC The WISD of Special Education Services or his/her designee shall act as advisor to the PAC. The goal of this effort is to have an active and informed PAC that will work cooperatively with administrative personnel in ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of special education programs and services within the Washtenaw ISD. The local public school agency administrators will provide information about special education in their agencies to their PAC members. They will also be encouraged to provide their PAC members with their Board of Education/Board of s meeting agendas. N. Fiscal and Staff Resources Available to the PAC Fiscal Resources. Fiscal resources available to the PAC shall be outlined in the annual Washtenaw ISD Special Education budget. The Washtenaw ISD will provide the following items in support of the PAC: Postage for notices and other committee meetings Information Reimbursement for phone calls In-service Reproductions of appropriate documents Newsletter Mileage (in accordance with WISD policies) Staff Resources. The Washtenaw ISD shall make available staff resources for the purpose of making the PAC an efficient and effective operational unit. The WISD of Special Education Services or his/her designee shall be responsible for assuring that reasonable secretarial support is available to the PAC for committee business. 12

15 ADDITIONAL PLAN CONTENT O. Surrogate Parent Plan The Washtenaw ISD will adopt the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services surrogate parent policy. Under Federal Regulation Section (definition of a parent) and Section (definition of Surrogate Parents) and the OSE/EIS, Revised Policy for the Appointment of Surrogate Parents for Special Education Services dated February, The Washtenaw ISD, LEA s and the PAC will: 1. Maintain an adequate pool of potential surrogate parents who meet required standards and maintain a list of available pool members. Surrogate parents will be trained by the ISD and PAC at least once a year at regularly scheduled PAC meetings, pursuant to the State Policy. 2. Offer instruction to these surrogate parent appointees in the areas of: Surrogate parent responsibilities Special education eligibility Special education process and procedures 3. Maintain a system to: Determine a need for a surrogate parent Appoint a surrogate parent; and End the appointment of a surrogate parent 4. Establish a system for compensating the appointed surrogate parents for expenses. 13

16 Appendix A Categorical Room Resource Room *LD *EI *Mild CI *Moderate CI *Severely CI *SXI *ASD Elementary Secondary *ECDD *HI *PI E/S E/S E/S E/S E/S X X P CSP E/S Chelsea X/S X/S CSP CSP X X X CSP Dexter C C CSP CSP CSP X X X C C Lincoln S E/S CSP CSP CSP X X X CSP Manchester CSP CSP X X Milan CSP CSP X X CSP Saline CSP X X X CSP Washtenaw ISD CSP X CSP Whitmore Lake S CSP CSP X X X CSP Willow Run E/S E/S CSP CSP X X X CSP Ypsilanti E/S E/S E/S E/S E/S CSP S X X E/S Learning Community Central E/S E/S X X East Washtenaw Multi Cultural Fortis X Honey Creek New Beginnings South Arbor X X Washtenaw Technical Middle College Service Codes E Elementary - E means your district provides elementary programs S Secondary S means your district provides secondary programs CSP Countywide Service Provided CSP means the WISD provides the programs/services. C District Contracted for Services C means your district contracts with an outside agency to provide services. X District Provides Services X means your district provides the services YA Young Adult *Glossary ASD Autistic Spectrum Disorder ECDD Early Childhood Developmental Delay EI Emotionally Impaired HI Hearing Impaired LD Learning Disabled Mild CI Mild Cognitively Impaired Moderate CI Moderately Cognitively Impaired PI Physical Impairment Severely CI Severely Cognitively Impaired SXI Severely Multiply Impaired 14

17 Appendix B District Teacher Consultant Services *VI Consultant Services *HI Consultant Services *O & M *SLI *SSW *PSY *OT *PT Transition Coordinator X/CSP CSP CSP CSP E/S E/S E/S E/S C S Chelsea E/S/CSP CSP CSP CSP X E/S E/S C C Dexter E/C/CSP CSP CSP CSP ES E/S E/S/C C C Lincoln X/CSP CSP CSP CSP X X X X C Manchester X/CSP CSP CSP CSP X X X C C Milan X/CSP CSP CSP C X X X C C X Saline E/S/CSP CSP CSP CSP E/S E/S E/S C C CSP Washtenaw ISD CSP CSP CSP CSP Whitmore Lake X/CSP CSP CSP CSP X X X C X Willow Run X/CSP CSP CSP CSP X/C X X X C Ypsilanti X/CSP CSP CSP CSP E/S E/S E/S E/S E/S S Learning X/CSP CSP CSP CSP X X X X X Community Central X/CSP CSP CSP CSP C C East Washtenaw Multi Cultural CSP CSP CSP Fortis X/CSP CSP CSP CSP X X X Honey Creek E/S/CSP CSP CSP CSP C/E/S C/E/S C/E/S C/E/S C/E/S New Beginnings X/CSP CSP CSP CSP C C C South Arbor CSP CSP CSP C/E/S E/S C/E/S E/S Washtenaw Technical Middle College X/CSP CSP CSP CSP Service Codes E Elementary - E means your district provides elementary programs S Secondary S means your district provides secondary programs CSP Countywide Service Provided CSP means the WISD provides the programs/services. C District Contracted for Services C means your district contracts with an outside agency to provide services. X District Provides Services X means your district provides the services YA Young Adult *Glossary HI Hearing Impaired O & M Orientation and Mobility OT Occupational Therapist PSY Psychologist PT Physical Therapist SLI Speech and Language Impairment SSW School Social Worker VI Visually Impaired 15

18 Organizational Structure of the PAC Appendix C Procedures for Committee Member Nomination and Approval: The Parent Advisory Committee shall be composed of parents of students with disabilities. Each public school agency with more than 100 students can nominate two active voting members to the PAC. Any public school academy with less than 100 students can nominate one active voting member to the PAC. Each public school agency is responsible for determining the process that it will use in selection of parent representatives. Each public school agency board then approves the PAC nominee, and forwards the nomination to the WISD Board of Education. Nominations for representatives for PAC membership are submitted to the WISD Board of Education by May 1 st of each year, or at any time during the year to fill a vacancy on the PAC. Upon receipt of nominations for the WISD PAC, the WISD Board of Education determines whether there is an appropriate distribution of representation by disability. The WISD Board then appoints the representative to the PAC. All terms of membership are effective August 1st of the year of approval and terminate July 31 st two years later. PAC members may request to serve an additional term or terms. Vacancies are filled in the same manner as original appointments. The selected representative serves for the remainder of time left in the term of the person originally selected from the local public school agency involved. Meetings, voting and officer election procedures of the PAC: The PAC shall meet at least six times during the school year. The schedule is available every fall. All decisions and actions on all issues brought before the PAC shall be duly recorded in the meeting minutes. Each active voting member has one vote. If an active voting member is absent, members-at-large from that local district/psa shall have the absent vote. In the case of a tie vote, the issue will be tabled. More information on the proposed course of action will be required for the next meeting. PAC officers must be active voting members and will be elected by a majority vote of the committee. Officers shall be Chairperson, Chairperson-Elect and Correspondence Secretary. Each officer shall be elected to serve a one-year term with the Chair-Elect to serve as Chairperson after his/her 1 st year term, or to fill a vacancy of the Chair. Terms run from August 1 st to July 1 st of each year. 16