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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-06-17 BOT Agenda PacketThe Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees will begin immediately following the conclusion of the Board of Trustees Workshop but not prior to the posted start time. Mission Statement Westlake Academy is an IB World School whose mission is to provide students with an internationally minded education of the highest quality so they are well-balanced and respectful life-long learners. Page 1 of 3 WESTLAKE ACADEMY Vision Statement Westlake Academy inspires students to achieve their highest individual potential in a nurturing environment that fosters the traits found in the IB Learner Profile. Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced and Reflective BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING AGENDA February 6, 2017 1301 Solana Boulevard Building 4, Suite 4202 2ND FLOOR, COUNCIL CHAMBER WESTLAKE, TX 76262 Workshop Session 5:00 p.m. Regular Session 6:00 p.m. Page 2 of 3 Work Session 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. RECOGNITION OF THE SPELLING BEE WINNERS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS FROM ARGENTINA. 4. DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Presentation and discussion revisiting graduation endorsements offered at Westlake Academy under the state of Texas House Bill 5 (HB5) Foundation High School Program. b. Presentation and discussion of Special Education Policy Amendments. 5. REVIEW OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS LISTED ON THE REGULAR MEETING AGENDA. 6. BOARD RECAP / STAFF DIRECTION 7. ADJOURNMENT Regular Session 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST: President and Trustee Reports on Items of Community Interest pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.0415 the Board of Trustees may report on the following items: (1) expression of thanks, congratulations or condolences; (2) information about holiday schedules; (3) recognition of individuals; (4) reminders about upcoming Board of Trustee events; (5) information about community events; and (6) announcements involving imminent threat to public health and safety. 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS: This is an opportunity for citizens to address the Board on any matter whether or not it is posted on the agenda. The Board cannot by law take action nor have any discussion or deliberations on any presentation made to the Board at this time concerning an item not listed on the agenda. Any item presented may be noticed on a future agenda for deliberation or action. Page 3 of 3 4. CONSENT AGENDA: All items listed below are considered routine by the Board of Trustees and will be enacted with one motion. There will be no separate discussion of items unless a Board member or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the general order of business and considered in its normal sequence. a. Consider approval of the minutes from the January 9, 2017, meeting. b. Consider approval of Resolution 17-03, Amending the Special Education policies (SPED) in the Board of Trustees Manual. c. Consider approval of Resolution 17-04, Amending the 2017-2018 Academic Calendar. 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Any Board member may request at a workshop and / or Board meeting, under “Future Agenda Item Requests”, an agenda item for a future Board meeting. The Board member making the request will contact the Superintendent with the requested item and the Superintendent will list it on the agenda. At the meeting, the requesting Board member will explain the item, the need for Board discussion of the item, the item’s relationship to the Board’s strategic priorities, and the amount of estimated staff time necessary to prepare for Board discussion. If the requesting Board member receives a second, the Superintendent will place the item on the Board agenda calendar allowing for adequate time for staff preparation on the agenda item. 6. ADJOURNMENT ANY ITEM ON THIS POSTED AGENDA COULD BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AS LONG AS IT IS WITHIN ONE OF THE PERMITTED CATEGORIES UNDER SECTIONS 551.071 THROUGH 551.076 AND SECTION 551.087 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. CERTIFICATION I certify that the above notice was posted at the Town Hall of the Town of Westlake, 1301 Solana Blvd., Building 4, Suite 4202, Westlake, TX 76262, on February 1, 2017, by 5:00 p.m. under the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code. _____________________________________ Kelly Edwards, Town Secretary If you plan to attend this public meeting and have a disability that requires special needs, please advise the Town Secretary 48 hours in advance at 817-490-5710 and reasonable accommodations will be made to assist you. Board of Trustees Item # 2 – Pledge of Allegiance Texas Pledge: “Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to the, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.” 3. RECOGNITION OF THE SPELLING BEE WINNERS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS FROM ARGENTINA. Board of Trustees Item # 3 – No Supporting Documentation DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Presentation and discussion revisiting graduation endorsements offered at Westlake Academy under the state of Texas House Bill 5 (HB5) Foundation High School Program. b. Presentation and discussion of Special Education Policy Amendments. Board of Trustees Item # 4 – Discussion Items estlake Academy Board of Trustees TYPE OF ACTION Workshop - Discussion Item Westlake Board Meeting Monday, February 06, 2017 TOPIC: Presentation and discussion revisiting graduation endorsements offered at Westlake Academy under the state of Texas House Bill 5 (HB5) Foundation High School Program. STAFF CONTACT: Stacy Stoyanoff, DP Principal / Carl Tippen, College Counselor Strategic Alignment Vision, Value, Mission Perspective Curriculum Outcome Objective Academic Excellence Academic Operations Diploma Programme Increase the Future Readiness of All Students Strategic Initiative Outside the Scope of Identified Strategic Initiatives Time Line - Start Date: June 1, 2017 Completion Date: Ongoing Funding Amount: N/A Status - Not Funded Source - N/A EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (INCLUDING APPLICABLE ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY) This report will revisit the selection of graduation endorsements available to Westlake Academy students. Under our current graduation policy, Westlake Academy students achieve the state of Texas House Bill 5 (HB5) Foundation High School Program with the Multidisciplinary Studies endorsement. However, with the onboarding of our Career and Technical Education (CTE) strands over the next year, Westlake Academy could award additional state endorsements to students in Arts & Humanities, STEM, Business & Industry, and Public Service (Health Sciences). RECOMMENDATION N/A ATTACHMENTS N/A estlake Academy Board of Trustees TYPE OF ACTION Workshop - Discussion Item Westlake Board Meeting Monday, February 06, 2017 TOPIC: Presentation and Discussion of Special Education Policy Amendments STAFF CONTACT: Jennifer Furnish, Student Services Administrator Strategic Alignment Vision, Value, Mission Perspective Curriculum Outcome Objective Mission: Westlake Academy is an IB World School whose mission is to provide students with an internationally minded education of the highest quality, so they are well- balanced life-long learners. Academic Operations PYP / MYP / DP Improve the Efficiences of Operational Systems Strategic Initiative Outside the Scope of Identified Strategic Initiatives Time Line - Start Date: February 6, 2017 Completion Date: February 6, 2017 Funding Amount: $0 Status - N/A Source - N/A EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (INCLUDING APPLICABLE ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY) Westlake Academy prides itself on serving the needs of all learners. Part of meeting the needs of our special education students is ensuring that all of our policies and procedures align with the most recent legislation. Westlake Academy has updated a number of policies and procedures associated with the Legal Framework as required by the Texas Education Code. Westlake Academy will continue to review our special education policies and update them in a timely manner. The following policies are being updated: • Admission, Review, and Dissimal ARD Committee Policy • Ages 0-5 Policy • Applicability of Texas Education Code Relating to Special Education Policy • Autism Supplement Policy • Child Find Duty Policy • Closing the Gap Policy • Compliance with Federal Funding Requirements: IDEA • Compliance with Federal Funding Requirements: Title I • Consent Policy • Contracts for Services – Residential Placement • Coordination of Funds for Purchase of Instructional Materials • Curriculum Policy • Diagnosis and Programs of Instruction • District and Campus Improvement Plans • Dyslexia Services Policy • Eligibility Policy • Evaluation Procedures Policy • Extracurricular Activities Policy • Foster Parents (as related to special education) • Free Appropriate Public Education Policy • Procedural Safeguards Policy • Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) • State Funding Special Allotments • Student Discipline (as related to special education) • Testing – Student Assessment Policy • Transfer of Parental Rights at Age of Majority • Transition Services Policy • Transportation Services Policy RECOMMENDATION Westlake Academy staff recommends approval of updated policies and procedures. ATTACHMENTS Special Education Policies and Procedures which, are located within the consent item. REVIEW OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS a. Consider approval of the minutes from the January 9, 2017, meeting. b. Consider approval of Resolution 17-03, Amending the Special Education policies (SPED) in the Board of Trustees Manual. c. Consider approval of Resolution 17-04, Amending the 2017-2018 Academic Calendar. Board of Trustees Item # 5 – Review of Consent Agenda Items BOARD RECAP / STAFF DIRECTION Board of Trustees Item # 6 – Board Recap / Staff Direction Board of Trustees Item # 7 – Adjournment Work Session ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST: President and Trustee Reports on Items of Community Interest pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.0415 the Board of Trustees may report on the following items: (1) expression of thanks, congratulations or condolences; (2) information about holiday schedules; (3) recognition of individuals; (4) reminders about upcoming Board of Trustee events; (5) information about community events; and (6) announcements involving imminent threat to public health and safety.  House of Commons presents PYP Father-Daughter Dance; Hosted by G2 parents for grades K-5 Saturday, February 4, 2017; 6:30 – 8:00 pm WA Campus – Multi-Purpose Hall (MPH)  Coffee & Conversation with the Mayor/Board President Monday, February 6, 2017; 8:00 – 9:30 am Marriott Solana Hotel – Great Room  Westlake Academy (WA) Board of Trustees* Workshop/Meeting Monday, February 6, 2017; *See website for meeting time and agenda details Westlake Town Hall, Solana – Council Chamber/Courtroom  Planning & Zoning* Commission Workshop/Meeting; if needed Monday, February 13, 2017; *See website for meeting time and agenda details Westlake Town Hall, Solana – Council Chamber/Courtroom  Danish & Dialogue w/ Academy Leaders Thursday, February 16, 2017; 8 – 9:00 am WA Campus - Lee Fieldhouse classroom Feb. Topic: External Assessments & How We Use the Data  WA Lottery Draw for 2017-18 school year Thursday, February 16, 2017; 5:00 pm WA Campus - MPH  WA Teachers’ Professional Day (no school for students) Friday, February 17, 2017  Northeast Tarrant Transportation Summit Friday, February 17, 2017; 9:30 am – 1:30 pm Hurst Conference Center: 3 work sessions in am with keynote speaker at lunch: Dr. Ray Perryman, President & CEO of The Perryman Group; Topic: Transportation as an Economic Driver *Please let Ginger know of your attendance plans for registration & ticketing  Westlake Academy Closed in observance of Presidents’ Day (Westlake Municipal offices are OPEN) Monday, February 20, 2017  WA Board of Trustees* (Workshop only, preceding Town Council meeting) Monday, February 27, 2017; *See website for meeting time and agenda details Westlake Town Hall, Solana – Council Chamber/Courtroom  Town Council* Workshop/Meeting Monday, February 27, 2017; *See website for meeting time and agenda details Westlake Town Hall, Solana – Council Chamber/Courtroom Coming up in March … Westlake Academy 14th Annual Gallery Night on Saturday, March 4, 2017! -Gratefully accepting sponsorships and donations now! For more information, please contact Dr. Shelly Myers. Board of Trustees Item # 2 – Items of Community Interest CITIZEN COMMENTS: This is an opportunity for citizens to address the Board on any matter whether or not it is posted on the agenda. The Board cannot by law take action nor have any discussion or deliberations on any presentation made to the Board at this time concerning an item not listed on the agenda. Any item presented may be noticed on a future agenda for deliberation or action. Board of Trustees Item # 3 – Citizen Comments CONSENT AGENDA: All items listed below are considered routine by the Board of Trustees and will be enacted with one motion. There will be no separate discussion of items unless a Board member or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the general order of business and considered in its normal sequence. a. Consider approval of the minutes from the January 9, 2017, meeting. b. Consider approval of Resolution 17-03, Amending the Special Education policies (SPED) in the Board of Trustees Manual. c. Consider approval of Resolution 17-04, Amending the 2017-2018 Academic Calendar. Board of Trustees Item # 4 – Consent Agenda BOT Minutes 01/09/17 Page 1 of 4 WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING January 9, 2017 PRESENT: President Laura Wheat, Trustees: Carol Langdon, Rick Rennhack, and Alesa Belvedere. ABSENT: Michael Barrett and Wayne Stoltenberg OTHERS PRESENT: Assistant to the Superintendent Amanda DeGan, MYP Principal Dr. Andra Barton, PYP Principal Rod Harding, Student Services Administrator Jennifer Furnish, College Counselor Carl Tippen, Registrar Ange Bumgarner, Director of Finance Debbie Piper, Director of Human Resources & Administrative Services Todd Wood, Director of Communications Ginger Awtry, Director of Facilities and Parks & Recreation Troy Meyer, Director of Information Technology Jason Power, and Communications Manager Jon Sasser. Work Session 1. CALL TO ORDER President Wheat called the work session to order at 5:15 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE President Wheat led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and Texas flags. 3. REPORTS a. Quarterly Financial “Dashboard” report for the quarter ended November 30, 2016. BOT Minutes 12/05/16 Page 2 of 4 4. DISCUSSION ITEMS President Wheat moved to item b of the agenda. a. Presentation and discussion of the FY 2015-2016 annual audit report from Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P. John DeBurro, Weaver and Tidwell, and Director Piper provided a presentation and overview of the audit. Discussion ensued regarding charging a vehicle fee during enrollment, MYP Counselor, number of schools the firm audits, and the areas of risks. b. Presentation and discussion of the PYP Science and related STAAR assessment preparation. Principal Harding introduced Grade 5 students Jack Brinkley, Megan Flight, Caroline Schilsky, and Anna Kuster. Each student provided an explanation and demonstration of their STEM projects. Principal Harding, Mr. Febres and Mrs. Fischer provided a presentation and overview of the STAAR assessment preparation. Discussion ensued regarding sharing the labs, heat sources used by grade level, and one-on-one technology resources. President Wheat then moved to item a of the agenda. c. Presentation and discussion regarding the release of the new National Student Clearinghouse data on Westlake Academy graduates. Dr. Bryson, Mr. Tippen, and Mrs. Bumgarner provided a presentation and overview of the item. Discussion ensued regarding flagship institutions, financial aid, expectation for college graduation, the number of students attending public and private colleges, the rising cost of tuition, percentage of students applying for early action, the type of degrees obtained, and how this information will be disseminated to students and parents. BOT Minutes 12/05/16 Page 3 of 4 d. Presentation and discussion regarding the Indicators for A-F Academic Accountability System. Mrs. Furnish provided a presentation and overview of the item. Discussion ensued regarding the definition of economically disadvantage student, scholarship opportunities for students, the ratings and effect on schools. 5. REVIEW OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS LISTED ON THE REGULAR MEETING AGENDA. No additional discussion. 6. BOARD RECAP / STAFF DIRECTION Not weighing-in on the A-F Accountability System. Including degree information on the National Student Clearinghouse data report next year. Disseminating the National Student Clearinghouse data to students and parents. 7. ADJOURNMENT President Wheat adjourned the work session at 7:00 p.m. Regular Session 1. CALL TO ORDER President Wheat called the regular session to order at 7:01 p.m. 2. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST Dr. Bryson provided an overview of the items presented to the Board for ‘Board Appreciation Month’. Ms. Awtry provided an overview of the IB Diploma Ceremony, upcoming events and introduced Mr. Jon Sasser as the Town’s Communication Manager. Assistant Town Manager DeGan provided an update regarding the DirectionFinders Survey. BOT Minutes 12/05/16 Page 4 of 4 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS No one addressed the Board. 4. CONSENT AGENDA a. Consider approval of the minutes from the December 5, 2016, meeting. b. Consider approval of Resolution 17-01, Approving the FY 2015-2016 annual audit report from Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P. c. Consider approval of Resolution 17-02, Adopting the 2017-2018 School Calendar. MOTION: Trustee Belvedere made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Trustee Langdon seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 3-0. 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS No future agenda items. 6. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, President Wheat asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. MOTION: Trustee Belvedere made a motion to adjourn the regular session. Trustee Langdon seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 3-0. President Wheat adjourned the regular session at 7:13 p.m. APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON FEBRUARY 6, 2017. ATTEST: ____________________________ Laura Wheat, President _____________________________ Kelly Edwards, Board Secretary estlake Academy Board of Trustees TYPE OF ACTION Regular Meeting - Consent Westlake Board Meeting Monday, February 06, 2017 TOPIC: Consider approval of the amendments to the Special Education Policies in the Board of Trustees Manual STAFF CONTACT: Jennifer Furnish, Student Services Administrator Strategic Alignment Vision, Value, Mission Perspective Curriculum Outcome Objective Mission: Westlake Academy is an IB World School whose mission is to provide students with an internationally minded education of the highest quality, so they are well- balanced life-long learners. Academic Operations PYP / MYP / DP Improve the Efficiences of Operational Systems Strategic Initiative Outside the Scope of Identified Strategic Initiatives Time Line - Start Date: February 6, 2017 Completion Date: February 6, 2017 Funding Amount: $0 Status - N/A Source - N/A EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (INCLUDING APPLICABLE ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY) Westlake Academy prides itself on serving the needs of all learners. Part of meeting the needs of our special education students is ensuring that all of our policies and procedures align with the most recent legislation. Westlake Academy has updated a number of policies and procedures associated with the Legal Framework as required by the Texas Education Code. Westlake Academy will continue to review our special education policies and update them in a timely manner. The following policies are being updated: • Admission, Review, and Dissimal ARD Committee Policy • Ages 0-5 Policy • Applicability of Texas Education Code Relating to Special Education Policy • Autism Supplement Policy • Child Find Duty Policy • Closing the Gap Policy • Compliance with Federal Funding Requirements: IDEA • Compliance with Federal Funding Requirements: Title I • Consent Policy • Contracts for Services – Residential Placement • Coordination of Funds for Purchase of Instructional Materials • Curriculum Policy • Diagnosis and Programs of Instruction • District and Campus Improvement Plans • Dyslexia Services Policy • Eligibility Policy • Evaluation Procedures Policy • Extracurricular Activities Policy • Foster Parents (as related to special education) • Free Appropriate Public Education Policy • Procedural Safeguards Policy • Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) • State Funding Special Allotments • Student Discipline (as related to special education) • Testing – Student Assessment Policy • Transfer of Parental Rights at Age of Majority • Transition Services Policy • Transportation Services Policy RECOMMENDATION Westlake Academy staff recommends approval of updated policies and procedures. ATTACHMENTS Resolution Special Education Policies Resolution WA 17-03 Page 1 of 4 WESTLAKE ACADEMY RESOLUTION 17-03 A RESOLUTION OF THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES AMENDING SPECIAL EDUCATION POLICY. WHEREAS, Westlake Academy ensures compliance with all state and federal policies and procedures; and WHEREAS, Westlake Academy ensures a free and appropriate education to all students; and WHEREAS, Westlake Academy works to update all policies in a timely manner to reflect legislative changes; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees finds that the passage of this Resolution is in the best interest of the citizens of Westlake as well as the students, their parents, and faculty of Westlake Academy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTLAKE ACADEMY: SECTION 1: That, all matters stated in the recitals hereinabove are found to be true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety. SECTION 2: That, the Board of Trustees Westlake Academy, hereby approves the above for mentioned amendments to the special education policies as attached hereto in Exhibit A, to begin from this day forward. SECTION 3: If any portion of this resolution shall, for any reason, be declared invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof and the Council hereby determines that it would have adopted this Resolution without the invalid provision. Resolution WA 17-03 Page 2 of 4 SECTION 4: That this resolution shall become effective from and after its date of passage. PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 6th the DAY OF FEBRUARY 2017. ___________________________________ Laura Wheat, President ATTEST: ________________________________ ___________________________________ Kelly Edwards, Board Secretary Thomas E. Brymer, Superintendent APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________________ Janet S. Bubert or L. Stanton Lowry, School Attorney Resolution WA 17-03 Page 3 of 4 Exhibit A TOWN OF WESTLAKE WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES POLICY Policy No. 6.13: Date Board Adopted: March 4, 2013 Date Board Amended: February 6, 2017 Effective Date: February 6, 2017 Policy Category: Student Achievement Policy Name: Special Education Policy Goal: Establishing a program to design and deliver high quality support that ensures all students are successful, parents are informed, and educators are empowered. Policy Description: Federal and State law provide minimum standards and requirements that each child is entitled to receive in a publicly funded LEA (Local Education Agency). Further, federal and state law requires the Westlake Academy Board of Trustees to adopt policies that ensure implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004 (IDEA) and all other federal and state laws, rules and regulations regarding students with disabilities receiving special education services. Further, Westlake Academy, as an LEA, has maintained the necessary policies and any future amendments to those regulations, laws, and rules will be incorporated into the policies and procedures implemented by Westlake Academy. The specific special education policies may be found in the SPED Appendix in the Board of Trustees Policy Manual. Additionally, Westlake Academy recognizes that special education services are developed for each child through a partnership of the parent, teacher, and administration. This process is student focused recognizing that special education is a service and not a place; that all faculty and staff, support the unique requirements of each student with a disability and will strive to provide an environment that will best meet each student’s needs. SPED Appendix Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee Ages 0-5 Applicability of Texas Education Code Relating to Special Education Autism Child Find Duty Resolution WA 17-03 Page 4 of 4 Closing the Gap Compliance with Federal Funding Requirements IDEA Compliance with Federal Funding Requirements Title 1 Consent Contracts for Services – Residential Placement Coordination of Funds for Purchases of Instructional Materials Curriculum Diagnosis and Programs of Instruction District and Campus Improvement Plans Dyslexia Services Eligibility Evaluation Procedures Extracurricular Activities Foster Parents Free Appropriate Public Education Graduation Requirements Health and Safety IEP Independent Educational Evaluations Least Restrictive Environment Monitoring and Compliance Native Language Non-educational Community Based Support Services Open-Enrollment Charter Equal Educational Opportunity Prior Written Notice Procedural Safeguards Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) Records Referral for Possible Special Education Services Shared Service Arrangements Special Education Teacher and Related Service Provider Qualifications State Funding Special Allotments Student Discipline Teacher Requested Review Testing – Student Assessment Transfer of Parental Rights at Age of Majority Transition Services Transportation Services Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 5 UPDATED April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY ADMISSION, REVIEW, AND DISMISSAL (ARD) COMMITTEE MEETING It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to hold an Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee meeting for each student that qualifies for special education and related services in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Through an ARD committee meeting Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school will create an appropriate individual education program (IEP) in accordance with the IDEA and the IEP policy of Westlake Academy open- enrollment charter school. Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) Committee Before a student is enrolled in a special education program of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school, Westlake Academy shall establish a committee composed of the persons required under 20 U.S.C. §1401(11) to develop the student’s IIEP, including: 1) Parent or Adult Student 2) General education teacher of the student 3) Special education teacher of the student 4) A representative of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school that is knowledgeable about general education curriculum, knowledgeable about the availability of resources, and qualified to provide or supervise the provision of, the specially designed instruction to meet the needs of the student with a disability; 5) A person who can interpret instructional implications of evaluations. This may be one of the other members. 6) At the discretion of the parent or Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school, other individuals who have knowledge or expertise regarding the student, including related services providers 7) Student, when appropriate (19 TAC §89.1050(c)) Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 5 UPDATED April 2016 A representative of the school’s Career and Technology Education (CTE) program is a required member of the ARD committee when considering initial and continuing placement of a student in CTE. (TEC §29.005(a); 34 CFR §75.1023(d)(1); 20 USC §2301) ARD Committee Member Absences and Excusal All members of a student’s ARD committee must be in attendance at a student’s ARD meeting, unless the member is not required, or is excused. Prior to an ARD meeting, a member of the committee may not be required to attend, in whole or in part, if the parent and Westlake Academy open- enrollment charter school agree in writing that the attendance of the member is not needed. During an ARD meeting, it is the policy of the Westlake Academy open- enrollment charter school to obtain consent from the parent or adult student before excusing a member from remaining at an ARD committee meeting. If a member is excused, it may be reflected in the deliberation notes. An ARD committee member should not be excused prior to addressing the member’s portion of the IEP. ARD Committee Meeting Notification Westlake Academy open enrollment charter school will provide parent or adult student written notice of each scheduled ARD meeting at least 5 days prior to the meeting. The notice must designate who will be in attendance, the purpose of the meeting, location, time and what topics will be discussed. (19 TAC §89.1015; 34 CFR §300.322) Annual ARD Committee For each student that receives special education and related services, an ARD committee meeting will be held periodically, but no less than annually to review and update the individual education program (IEP). Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 5 UPDATED April 2016 (34 CFR §§300.320; 300.324) A parent or Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school may request an ARD committee meeting be held prior to the annual ARD meeting. If parent requests a meeting in writing, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school will schedule a meeting at a mutually agreed upon time and place, or provide notice within 5 school days explaining the school’s denial of the request. (19 TAC §89.1050(e)) Reaching Closure and Consensus The ARD committee shall develop the IEP by agreement of the committee members or, if those persons cannot agree, by an alternate method provided by the Texas Education Agency. Majority vote may not be used to determine the IEP. (TEC §29.005(b)) If the IEP is not developed by agreement, the ARD Committee must comply with the requirements of 19 TAC §1050(h) and ensure that the written statement of the program required under 20 U.S.C. §1401(11) includes the basis of the disagreement. (TEC §29.005(c)). If the ARD meeting ends in disagreement, it is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to provide the parent with a recess. The recess shall not exceed 10 school days. During the recess, the committee members shall and the parent may gather additional information in order to help the committee reach consensus. If after 10 schools days, consensus cannot be reached, Westlake Academy shall implement the IEP that was determined to be appropriate for the student. A parent may waive the 10 days recess. (19 TAC §89.1050) Through consensus of the ARD committee members, an ARD meeting may be recessed without reaching agreement or disagreement. Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 5 UPDATED April 2016 Parent’s Native Language and Documentation If the student’s parent is unable to speak English, the open-enrollment charter school shall communicate with the parent in the parent’s native language or other mode of communication the parent uses in accordance with the school’s policy on use of parents’ native language. It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to translate the IEP for a Spanish-speaking parent. A translation may include, a written translation of the IEP or a recording of a reading of the IEP in Spanish. A recording of the ARD meeting is not sufficient, unless all parts of the IEP are discussed and the translation is clearly audible on the recording. (TEC §29.005) Amendment without a Meeting After the annual admission, review and dismissal (ARD) meeting, changes to the IEP other than eligibility determinations, changes of placement, and manifestation determination reviews may be made either: • By the entire ARD committee; or • By amending the IEP rather than by redrafting the entire IEP. (34 CFR §300.324) ARD Committee Meeting without the Parent It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to ensure that parents can attend the ARD meeting or have the opportunity to participate. Westlake Academy will work with the parent to come to an agreeable time or provide an opportunity to participate via conference call. (34 CFR §§300.322; 300.328) If Westlake Academy is unable to convince parent to attend the ARD meeting, Westlake Academy may proceed with an ARD meeting without Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 5 of 5 UPDATED April 2016 parent in attendance. Westlake Academy will document written notices sent to parent and phone calls with parent attempting to schedule a mutually agreeable time for the ARD meeting. Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 2 UPDATED APRIL 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY SPECIAL EDUCATION AGES 0-5 Prekindergarten Programs Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school is subject to a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as applicable, imposed by the Texas Education Code or a rule adopted under that code, relating to prekindergarten programs under Subchapter E, Chapter 29, Texas Education Code. (TEC §12.104(b)(2)(H)) It is the policy of the Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to offer prekindergarten classes if the school identifies 15 or more children who are eligible under Subsection 29.153(b), Texas Education Code, and are at least four years of age. (TEC §29.153(a-1)) Students who are eligible include students who are: 1) unable to speak and comprehend the English language 2) educationally disadvantaged; 3) homeless children, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 11434a, regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the child, or of the child’s guardian or other person having lawful control of the child; 4) children of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority; 5) children of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty; or Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 2 UPDATED APRIL 2016 6) under or were under conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code. (TEC §29.153(b)) Notification The [NAME] open-enrollment charter school shall develop a system to notify residents within the school’s geographic boundaries with students who are at least three and younger than six and who are eligible for enrollment in a special education program of the availability of the program. (TEC § 29.009) Preschool-Aged Children If Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school offers preschool, Westlake Academy must provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment to preschool-aged students even if Westlake Academy does not provide free preschool programs to all preschool-aged children. (34 C.F.R. §§300.101(a)-(b) and §300.116) Westlake Academy may provide opportunities for the participation of the preschool students with disabilities in other preschool programs operated by public agencies or by locating classes for preschool students with disabilities in regular elementary schools. However, Westlake Academy is not required to initiate preschool programs or to establish extensive contact programs with private schools which serve both students with disabilities and students without disabilities solely to satisfy the requirements regarding placement in the least restrictive environment. (OSEP Policy Memo 89-23; 34 C.F.R. §300.102(a)) Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY APPLICABILITY OF TEXAS EDUCATION CODE RELATING TO SPECIAL EDUCATION Applicability of Texas Education Code Relating to Special Education An open-enrollment charter school is subject to a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as applicable, imposed by Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, or a rule adopted under Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, relating to special education programs under Subchapter A (Special Education Program), Chapter 29, Texas Education Code. (TEC §12.104(b)(2)(F)). The Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school adopts the requirements of Subchapter A (Special Education Program), Chapter 29, Texas Education Code pursuant to TEC §12.104(b)(2)(F). Assurance Pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), open- enrollment charter schools must submit a plan to the Texas Education Agency that provides assurances that the open-enrollment charter school has in effect policies, procedures, and programs that are consistent with the State and Federal policies and procedures governing special education. (20 USCA §1413(a)(1); 34 CFR §§300.200-.201) Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 2 NEW POLICY – April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY SPECIAL EDUCATION AUTISM SUPPLEMENT It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to ensure that each student who qualifies for services as a student with Autism, that the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) includes an appropriate Autism Supplement. (19 TAC §89.1055(e)). Autism Supplement Contents Each ARD committee will consider each of the following strategies, and when needed, the strategies will be addressed in the student’s IEP. The strategies will be peer-reviewed or researched-based practices to the extent practicable. 1) Extended educational programing, such as extended day or ESY that consider the duration of programming based on assessment of behavior, social skills, communication, academics and self-help skills; 2) Daily schedules reflecting minimal unstructured time and active learning activities, such as lunch and recess periods provide flexibility in routines; adapt to individual skills, and assist with schedule changes; 3) In-home and community-based services or other alternatives to help the student with acquisition of social or behavioral skills; 4) Positive behavior support strategies based on student needs; 5) Future planning, beginning at any age, for integrated living, work, community and educational environments that consider skills necessary to function in current and post-secondary environments; 6) Parent or family training and support, provided by personnel familiar with Autism Spectrum disorders; 7) Appropriate staff-to-student ratio for identified activities and as needed to achieve social and behavioral progress based on the students developmental and learning level that encourages progress towards independence; Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 2 NEW POLICY – April 2016 8) Communication interventions to enhance effectives communication across all settings; 9) Social skills supports and strategies based on social skill assessment and provided across all settings; 10) Professional Support, such as training to staff, to ensure correct implementation of techniques; and 11) Teaching strategies based on peer reviewed, research-based practices for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. If an ARD committee considers each of these strategies, and determines the services are not needed in one of the areas, the IEP will include a statement for the basis of the decision. If the student is in need of a behavior intervention plan (BIP), the BIP must be included in the IEP and provided to each teacher or aide that works with the student. Westlake Academy County School No. 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 UPDATED – April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY SPECIAL EDUCATION CHILD FIND DUTY It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to ensure that— 1. All students with disabilities enrolled in the charter school or who contact the charter school regarding enrollment, regardless of the severity of their disability, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated; and 2. A practical method is developed and implemented to determine which students are currently receiving needed special education and related services. These requirements apply to: 1. Homeless children; 2. Children who are wards of the state; 3. Highly mobile children with disabilities (such as migrant children); and 4. Children who are suspected of being a child with a disability under 34 CFR §300.7 and in need of special education, even though they are advancing from grade to grade. (34 CFR §300.111) See additional requirements in Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school’s Evaluation Procedures and Eligibility policies. After each student is enrolled in Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school, Westlake Academy will promptly request all student records from the student’s previous school. Westlake Academy County School No. 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 6 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY SPECIAL EDUCATION CLOSING THE GAP Elementary and Secondary Education Act Programs The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was first passed by Congress in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. In 2001, the ESEA was reauthorized as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). The primary function of NCLB is to close the achievement gap between groups of students by requiring greater accountability and offering increased flexibility and choice. NCLB affects almost every charter school in the state. Congress reauthorized the ESEA in December of 2015 as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which is scheduled to take effect beginning July 2016. ESSA will replace NCLB and impacts all charter schools in the state. The ESSA provides more state control and input at the local level. (20 USC §6301 et seq.) Early Intervening Service The education of students with disabilities can be made more effective by providing incentives for whole-school approaches, scientifically-based early reading programs, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and early intervening services to reduce the need to label students as disabled in order to address the learning and behavioral needs of such students. (20 USC §1400(c)(5)(F)) In implementing coordinated, early intervening services, Westlake Academy open-enrollment school may carry out activities that include: 1. professional development (which may be provided by entities other than local educational agencies) for teachers and other school staff to enable such personnel to deliver scientifically based Westlake Academy County School No. 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 6 Updated April 2016 academic instruction and behavioral interventions, including scientifically based literacy instruction, and, where appropriate, instruction on the use of adaptive and instructional software; and 2. providing educational and behavioral evaluations, services, and supports, including scientifically based literacy instruction. (20 USC §1413(f)(2); 34 CFR §300.226(b)) An early intervening service (including a response-to-intervention or (RTI)) process cannot delay the initial evaluation for special education services of a student suspected of having a disability. A parent may request an evaluation at any time to determine whether the student is a student with a disability. If a parent requests an evaluation and the school agrees that the student may be eligible for special education, the school must evaluate the student. If the school denies the parent’s request for evaluation, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must provide notice to the parent explaining the basis for the refusal. The parent may challenge the refusal to evaluate through the impartial hearing process. (20 USC §1413(f)(3); 34 CFR §300.226(c)) Bilingual Education Program Under Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapter 29, Subchapter B and 19 TAC §§89.1201-1265, schools and charter schools must identify Limited English Proficient (LEP) students based on state criteria. Charter schools must provide an appropriate Bilingual Education (BE) or English as a Second Language (ESL) program conducted by teachers certified for such courses. Charter schools receive a bilingual allocation for providing such instruction to be used for program and student evaluation, materials, salary supplements, etc. See TEC §42.153. Up to 15 percent of the allotment may be used for indirect costs (transportation, administration, etc.). See Texas Open- Enrollment Charter School Handbook (TEA, Division of Charter School Administration, September 2011), available at: http://www.esc11.net/cms/lib3/TX21000259/Centricity/Domain/67/CharterS choolHandbook.pdf. Westlake Academy County School No. 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 6 Updated April 2016 Student with Disabilities and Limited English Proficiency It is the policy of Westlake Academy open enrollment charter school to ensure that a student with limited English proficiency who also qualifies for special education services as a student with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is not refused services in a bilingual education or English as a second language program solely because the student has a disability. (19 TAC §89.1230) Applicability of Title Relating to Bilingual Education An open-enrollment charter school is subject to a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as applicable, imposed by Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, or a rule adopted under Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, relating to bilingual education under Subchapter B (Bilingual Education and Special Language Programs), Chapter 29, Texas Education Code. (TEC §12.104(b)(2)(G)) Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school adopts the requirements of Subchapter B (Bilingual Education and Special Language Programs), Chapter 29, Texas Education Code pursuant to TEC §12.104(b)(2)(G). Where “school or school district” is used in Subchapter B (Bilingual Education and Special Language Programs), the Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school hereby substitutes “open-enrollment charter school” to conform to these requirements. Establishment of Bilingual Education and Special Language Program The open-enrollment charter school shall establish a Bilingual Education (BE) or English as a Second Language (ESL) program as required by TEC §29.053 (Establishment of Bilingual Education and Special Language Programs) and in accordance with the procedures established by the Texas Education Agency, unless otherwise excepted under TEC §29.054 (Exception). (TEC §29.053) Westlake Academy County School No. 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 6 Updated April 2016 Language Proficiency Assessment Committees Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school shall further establish a Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) that complies with TEC §29.063. (TEC §29.063) Program Content; Method of Instruction The open-enrollment charter school’s program content and method of instruction shall comply with TEC §29.055. (TEC §29.055) Enrollment of Students in Program The open-enrollment charter school shall comply with the Texas Education Agency criteria for identification, assessment, and classification of students of limited English proficiency eligible for entry into the program or exit from the program. (TEC §29.056(a)) The student’s parent must approve a student’s entry into the program, exit from the program, or placement in the program. The open-enrollment charter school or parent may appeal the decision under TEC §29.064. (TEC §29.056(a)) Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school through its language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC) shall evaluate and consider reenrollment of students who have transferred out of a bilingual education or special language program under TEC §29.056(g) as required by TEC §29.0561. Facilities; Classes Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school ensures that bilingual education and special language programs are located in the regular public charter school rather than in separate facilities. (TEC §29.057) Westlake Academy County School No. 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 5 of 6 Updated April 2016 Enrollment of Students Who Do Not Have Limited English Proficiency Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school ensures that enrollment of students who do not have limited English proficiency may occur only if the requirements of TEC §29.058 are met. (TEC §29.058) Cooperation among Schools Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school may cooperate with other schools to provide a bilingual education or special language program. (TEC §29.059) Preschool, Summer School, and Extended Time Programs Each open-enrollment charter school that is required to offer a bilingual education or special language program shall offer a voluntary program for students of limited English proficiency who will be eligible for admission to kindergarten or the first grade at the beginning of the school year. A school that operates on a system permitted by the Texas Education Code other than a semester system shall offer 120 hours of instruction on a schedule the governing board establishes. The program shall meet the requirements of TEC §29.060. (TEC §29.060(a)) Enrollment of a student in the program is optional with the parent of the student. (TEC §29.060(b)) The program must be an intensive bilingual education or special language program that meets standards established by the Texas Education Agency. The student/teacher ratio for the program may not exceed 18/1. (TEC §29.060(c)) Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school may establish on a full- or part-time basis summer school, extended day, or extended week bilingual education or special language programs for students of limited English proficiency and may join with other schools or schools in establishing the programs. Westlake Academy County School No. 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 6 of 6 Updated April 2016 (TEC §29.060(d)) The programs required or authorized by TEC §29.060 may not be a substitute for programs required to be provided during the regular school year. (TEC §29.060(e)) The legislature may appropriate money from the foundation school fund for support of a program under TEC §29.060(a). (TEC §29.060(f)) Bilingual Education and Special Language Program Teachers Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school shall ensure that bilingual education and special language program teachers are properly certified. (TEC §29.061) Appeals A parent of a student enrolled in a bilingual education or special language program may appeal to the Commissioner if the open-enrollment charter school fails to comply with the requirements established by law or by the Texas Education Agency. If the parent disagrees with the placement of the student in the program, the parent may appeal that decision to the open- enrollment charter school governing body. Appeals shall be conducted in accordance with procedures adopted by the Commissioner under Chapter 157 of the Texas Administrative Code. (TEC §29.064; 19 TAC §89.1240) PEIMS Reporting Requirements The open-enrollment charter school shall meet Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) Reporting Requirements with respect to its bilingual education or special language programs. See PEIMS policy. (TEC §29.066) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: IDEA Compliance It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to use IDEA Part B funds received to: 1) comply with the federal maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements; 2) supplement State, local and other federal funds and not supplant such funds; and 3) pay the excess costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities and must be used to supplement State, local, and other Federal funds. (34 CFR §300.202, 20 USC §1413(a)(2)). Reducing Level of Expenditures Funds provided to Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school will not be used to reduce the level of expenditures for the education of students with disabilities made by Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school below the level of those funds for the preceding year. (2 USC §1423(a)(2)(A)(iii), Appendix E to Part 300) Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school may reduce the level of expenditures if the reduction is attributable to: 1) Voluntary departure, retirement, or departure for just cause of special education personnel 2) A decrease in enrollment of students with disabilities 3) The termination of the obligation of Westlake Academy to provide a special education program to a particular student with a disability that is an exceptionally costly program because the child left Westlake Academy ,aged out of services, or no longer needs special education 4) The termination of costly expenditures for long-term purchases 5) The assumption of cost by the high cost fund operated by TEA (34 CFR §300.204) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 Excess Expenditures It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school that having complied with MOE and excess costs requirements, IDEA Part B funds provided to the school will be used for the following activities: 1) for the costs of special education and related services, and supplementary aids and services, provided in a regular class or other education-related setting to a child with a disability in accordance with the IEP of the student, even if nondisabled students benefit from such services; 2) to develop and implement coordinated, early intervening educational services in compliance with student find and general administration requirements, including: • early intervening services, which may include interagency financing structures, for students in kindergarten through grade 12 (with a particular emphasis on students in kindergarten through grade 3) who are not currently identified as needing special education or related services but who need additional behavioral and academic support to succeed in a general education environment; • the school will not use more than 15 percent of the amount received under IDEA Part B for any fiscal year, less any adjustments by the school to local fiscal effort, if any, in combination with other amounts (which may include amounts other than education funds), to develop and implement coordinated early intervening services; 3) to establish and implement cost or risk-sharing funds, consortia, or cooperatives for the school itself, or for LEAs working in a consortium of which the school is a part, to pay for high-cost special education and related services consistent with distribution of high-cost risk pool funds; 4) the school may use IDEA Part B funds to purchase appropriate technology for recordkeeping, data collection, and related case management activities of teachers and related services personnel providing services described in the IEP that is needed for the implementation of such case management activities. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 3 Early Intervening Services Funds made available for early intervening services, must supplement not supplant funds available under the ESEA. (34 CFR §300.226(e)) Use of IDEA Part B funds for Title 1 Programs Notwithstanding any other provisions related to commingling of funds, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school may use IDEA Part B funds received for any fiscal year to carry out a Title 1, Part A school wide program under the ESEA, except that the amount may not exceed: • the amount received by the school under IDEA Part B for that fiscal year; divided by • the number of students with disabilities in the jurisdiction of the school; and multiplied by • the number of students with disabilities participating in the school wide program. (34 CFR §300.206; 20 USC §1413) (34 CFR §§300.208, 20 USC §1413(a)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: TITLE 1 To the extent required under Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school shall ensure equity among school programs in staff/student ratios and in expenditures of money for curriculum materials and instructional supplies. “Staff” shall include teachers, administrators, and auxiliary personnel. In special programs, such as special education and bilingual education, a lower ratio may be maintained and more money may be spent as necessary to fulfill other legal requirements. The parental involvement program shall be set up in accordance with requirements of Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as applicable. Parental involvement is encouraged and required in the planning and decision-making process for the school and for the campus. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 5 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY CONSENT Parental Consent for Initial Evaluation Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school cannot conduct an initial evaluation of the student to determine whether the student is eligible under Part B of IDEA to receive special education and related services without first providing the parent with prior written notice of the proposed action and obtaining parental consent. Westlake Academy must make reasonable efforts to obtain the parent’s informed consent for an initial evaluation to decide whether the student is a student with a disability. If the parent requests, prior to signing consent for a psychological evaluation, Westlake Academy must provide the parent with the name and type of examination, and how the examination will be used to develop the individual education program (IEP). (TEC §29.0041) After providing consent, if Westlake Academy determines another evaluation is necessary, the parent must provide consent prior to Westlake Academy beginning the additional evaluations. The parent’s consent for initial evaluation does not mean that the parent has also given consent for the open-enrollment charter school to start providing special education and related services to the student. Westlake Academy may not use the parent’s refusal to consent to one service or activity related to the initial evaluation as a basis for denying the parent or the student any other service, benefit, or activity, unless another Part B requirement requires the open-enrollment charter school to do so. If the student is enrolled in or the parent is seeking to enroll the student in Westlake Academy and the parent has refused to provide consent or failed to respond to a request to provide consent for an initial evaluation, the Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 5 Updated April 2016 open-enrollment charter school may, but is not required to, seek to conduct an initial evaluation of the student by using the IDEA's mediation or due process complaint, resolution meeting, and impartial due process hearing procedures. The open-enrollment charter school will not violate its obligations to locate, identify and evaluate the student if it does not pursue an evaluation of the student in these circumstances. (34 CFR §§300.9; 300.300(a)(3)(i)) Special Rules for Initial Evaluation of Wards of the State If a student is a ward of the State and is not living with his or her parent, the open-enrollment charter school does not need consent from the parent for an initial evaluation to determine if the student is a student with a disability if: 1) despite reasonable efforts to do so, the open-enrollment charter school cannot find the student’s parent; 2) the rights of the parents have been terminated in accordance with State law; or 3) a judge has assigned the right to make educational decisions to an individual other than the parent and that individual has provided consent for an initial evaluation. Ward of the State, as used in IDEA, means a child who, as determined by the State where the child lives, is: 1) a foster child; 2) considered a ward of the State under State law; or 3) in the custody of a public child welfare agency. Ward of the State does not include a foster child who has a foster parent who meets the definition of a parent as used in IDEA. (34 CFR §§300.9; 300.300) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 5 Updated April 2016 Parental Consent for Services Westlake Academy must make reasonable efforts to obtain informed consent from the parent before providing special education and related services to the student for the first time. If the parent does not respond to a request to provide parental consent to receive special education and related services for the first time, or if the parent refuses to give such consent or later revokes (cancels) consent in writing, Westlake Academy may not use the procedural safeguards (i.e., mediation, due process complaint, resolution meeting, or an impartial due process hearing) in order to obtain agreement or a ruling that the special education and related services (recommended by the ARD committee) may be provided to the student without the parent’s consent. If the parent refuses to give parental consent for the child to receive special education and related services for the first time, or if the parent does not respond to a request to provide such consent or later revokes (cancels) consent in writing and the open-enrollment charter school does not provide the student with the special education and related services for which it sought the parent’s consent, the open-enrollment charter school: 1) is not in violation of the requirement to make a free appropriate public education (FAPE) available to the student for its failure to provide those services to the student; and 2) is not required to have an ARD meeting or develop an IEP for the student for the special education and related services for which the parent’s consent was requested. If the parent revokes (cancels) the parent’s consent in writing at any point after the student is first provided special education and related services, then the open-enrollment charter school may not continue to provide such services, but must provide the parent with prior written notice before discontinuing those services. (34 CFR §300.300) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 5 Updated April 2016 Parental Consent for Reevaluations It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to obtain the parent’s informed consent before it reevaluates the student, unless the open-enrollment charter school can demonstrate that: 1) it took reasonable steps to obtain the parent’s consent for the student’s reevaluation; and 2) the parent did not respond. If the parent refuses to consent to the student’s reevaluation, the open- enrollment charter school may, but is not required to, pursue the student’s reevaluation by using the mediation, due process complaint, resolution meeting, and impartial due process hearing procedures to seek to override the parent’s refusal to consent to the student’s reevaluation. As with initial evaluations, the open-enrollment charter school does not violate its obligations under the IDEA if it declines to pursue the reevaluation in this manner. (34 CFR §300.300) Documentation of Reasonable Efforts to Obtain Parental Consent It is the policy of Westlake Academy to maintain documentation of reasonable efforts to obtain the parent’s consent for initial evaluations, to provide special education and related services for the first time, for a reevaluation, and to locate parents of wards of the State for initial evaluations. The documentation must include a record of the open- enrollment charter school’s attempts in these areas, such as: 1) detailed records of telephone calls made or attempted and the results of those calls; 2) copies of correspondence sent to the parent and any responses received; and 3) detailed records of visits made to the parent’s home or place of employment and the results of those visits. (34 CFR §300.300) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 5 of 5 Updated April 2016 Parental Consent to Access Public Benefits It is the policy of the Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to obtain informed consent from the parent each time that access to a parent’s private insurance proceeds or to public benefits or an insurance program is sought. (34 CFR §300.154(d)(2)(iv)(A)) Parental Consent for Transfer of Assistive Technology Devices It is the policy of the Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to obtain informed consent from the parent or the adult student if the adult student has the legal capacity to enter into a contract before transferring an assistive technology device through a transfer agreement that incorporates the standards of the state. Other Consent Requirements Parental consent is not required before the open-enrollment charter school may: 1) review existing data as part of the student’s evaluation or a reevaluation; or 2) give the student a test or other evaluation that is given to all students unless, before that test or evaluation, consent is required from parents of all students. 34 CFR 300.300(d) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES; RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENT If needed, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school may contract with a public or private facility, institution, or agency inside or outside of this State for the provision of services to students with disabilities. Each contract for residential placement must be approved by the Commissioner. The Commissioner may approve a residential placement contract only after at least a programmatic evaluation of personnel qualifications, adequacy of physical plant and equipment, and curriculum content. The Commissioner may approve either the whole or a part of a facility or program. (TEC §29.008(a)) When a student, including one for whom the State is managing conservator, is placed primarily for care or treatment reasons in a private residential facility that operates its own private education program, none of the costs may be paid from public education funds. If a residential placement primarily for care or treatment reasons involves a private residential facility in which the education program is provided by the open-enrollment charter school, the portion of the costs that includes appropriate education services, as determined by the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee, shall be paid from State and Federal education funds. (TEC §29.008(c)) If Westlake Academy contracts for the provision of education services rather than providing the services, Westlake Academy shall oversee the implementation of the student's individualized education program (IEP) and shall annually reevaluate the appropriateness of the arrangement. An approved facility, institution, or agency with whom the open-enrollment charter school contracts shall periodically report to the open-enrollment charter school on the services the student has received or will receive in accordance with the contract as well as diagnostic or other evaluative information that the open-enrollment charter school requires in order to fulfill its obligations under Subchapter A (Special Education), Chapter 29, Texas Education Code. (TEC §29.008(d)) For additional information, see the Least Restrictive Environment policy. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY COORDINATION OF FUNDS FOR PURCHASES OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS Instructional materials adopted by Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must be provided to students at no cost. Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school is entitled to the instructional materials allotment under Chapter 31 and subject to Chapter 31 as if the school were a school district. (TEC §31.005). Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school is entitled to an allotment each biennium from the state instructional materials fund for each student enrolled in the school on a date during the last year of the preceding biennium specified by the Commissioner. An allotment shall be transferred from the state instructional materials fund to the credit of the school’s instructional materials account as provided by TEC §31.0212. If Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school chooses to coordinate with the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) when purchasing print instructional materials, it must acquire the print instructional materials in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as the Texas Education Agency acquires print instructional materials. (34 CFR §300.210(a)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY CURRICULUM Applicability of Title Relating to Prekindergarten Program An open-enrollment charter school is subject to a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as applicable, imposed by Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, or a rule adopted under Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, relating to prekindergarten programs under Subchapter E (Kindergarten and Prekindergarten Programs), Chapter 29, Texas Education Code. (TEC §12.104(b)(2)(H)) Applicability of Title Relating to Reading Instruments and Accelerated Reading Instruction An open-enrollment charter school is subject to a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as applicable, imposed by Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, or a rule adopted under Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, relating to reading instruments and accelerated instruction programs under TEC §28.006 (Reading Diagnosis). (TEC §12.104(b)(2)(C)) Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school adopts the requirements of TEC §28.006 (Reading Diagnosis) pursuant to TEC §12.104(b)(2)(G). Where “school or school district” is used in TEC §28.006, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school hereby substitutes “open-enrollment charter school” to conform to these requirements. Reading Diagnosis and Accelerated Reading Instruction Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must administer at the kindergarten and first and second grade levels, a reading instrument as required by TEC §28.006. (TEC §28.006(c) and (f)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 Updated April 2016 The open-enrollment charter school shall administer at the beginning of the seventh grade a reading instrument as required by TEC §28.006. (TEC §28.006(c-1) and (f)) The chief administrative officer of the open-enrollment charter school shall report the results of the reading instruments. (TEC §28.006(d)). Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must notify the parent or guardian of each student in kindergarten or first or second grade that is determined, on the basis of reading instrument results, to be at risk for dyslexia or other reading difficulties. (TEC §28.006(g)) The open-enrollment charter school shall implement an accelerated reading instruction program that provides reading instruction that addresses reading deficiencies to those students and shall determine the form, content, and timing of that program. (TEC §28.006 (g)) The admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee of a student who participates in an open-enrollment charter school’s special education program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and who does not perform satisfactorily on a reading instrument under TEC §28.006 shall determine the manner in which the student will participate in an accelerated reading instruction program under TEC §28.006(g). (TEC §28.006 (g)) The open-enrollment charter school shall provide additional reading instruction and intervention to each student in seventh grade assessed under TEC §28.006(c-1), as appropriate to improve the student's reading skills in the relevant areas identified through the assessment instrument. Training and support for activities required by TEC §28.006(c- 1) shall be provided by regional education service centers (ESC) and teacher reading academies established under TEC §21.4551 (Teacher Reading Academies), and may be provided by other public and private providers. (TEC §28.006 (g-1)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 3 Updated April 2016 The open-enrollment charter school shall make a good faith effort to ensure that the notice required under TEC §28.006 is provided either in person or by regular mail and that the notice is clear and easy to understand and is written in English and in the parent or guardian's native language. (TEC §28.006 (h)) The Commissioner shall certify, not later than July 1 of each school year or as soon as practicable thereafter, whether sufficient funds have been appropriated statewide for the purposes of TEC §28.006. A determination by the Commissioner is final and may not be appealed. For purposes of certification, the Commissioner may not consider Foundation School Program funds. (TEC §28.006 (i)) No more than 15 percent of the funds certified by the Commissioner under TEC §28.006(i) may be spent on indirect costs. The Commissioner shall evaluate the programs that fail to meet the standard of performance under TEC §39.301(c)(5) (Review by Commissioner: Accountability Ratings) and may implement interventions or sanctions under Subchapter E (Accreditation Interventions and Sanctions), Chapter 39, Texas Education Code. The Commissioner may audit the expenditures of funds appropriated for purposes of TEC §28.006. The use of the funds appropriated for purposes of TEC §28.006 shall be verified as part of the open-enrollment charter school audit under TEC §44.008 (Annual Audit; Report). (TEC §28.006(j)) The provisions of TEC §28.006 relating to parental notification of a student's results on the reading instrument and to implementation of an accelerated reading instruction program may be implemented only if the Commissioner certifies that funds have been appropriated during a school year for administering the accelerated reading instruction program specified under this TEC §28.006. (TEC §28.006(k)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 2 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY DIAGNOSIS AND PROGRAMS OF INSTRUCTION Reading Diagnosis and Intensive Programs of Instruction [NAME] open-enrollment charter school adopts the requirements of TEC §28.0213 (Intensive Program of Instruction) pursuant to TEC §12.104(b)(2)(N). Where “school or school district” is used in TEC §28.0213, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school hereby substitutes “open-enrollment charter school” to conform to these requirements. Satisfactory Performance on Assessment Instruments Required; Accelerated Instruction Each time a student fails to perform satisfactorily on an assessment instrument administered under TEC §39.023(a) (Adoption and Administration of Instruments) in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth grade, the open-enrollment school in which the student attends school shall provide to the student accelerated instruction in the applicable subject area. Accelerated instruction may require participation of the student before or after normal school hours and may include participation at times of the year outside normal school operations. (TEC §28.0211(a-1)) The Commissioner shall provide guidelines to open-enrollment charter school on research-based best practices and effective strategies that an open- enrollment charter school may use in developing an accelerated instruction program. (TEC §28.0211(a-3)) The admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee of a student who participates in an open-enrollment charter school’s special education program under Subchapter B (Bilingual Education and Special Language Programs), Chapter 29, Texas Education Code and who does not perform satisfactorily on an assessment instrument specified under TEC §28.0211(a) and administered under TEC §39.023(a) or (b) (Adoption and Administration Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 2 Updated April 2016 of Instruments) shall determine the manner in which the student will participate in an accelerated instruction program under TEC §28.0211. (TEC §28.0211(i)(1)) An open-enrollment charter school shall provide students required to attend accelerated programs under TEC §28.0211 with transportation to those programs if the programs occur outside of regular school hours. (TEC §28.0211(j)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY DISTRICT AND CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT PLANS It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to annually conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and to annually conduct campus improvement plans, if required by state and federal funding requirements. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 2 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY DYSLEXIA SERVICES Applicability of Title An open-enrollment charter school is subject to a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as applicable, imposed by Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, or a rule adopted under Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, relating to health and safety under Chapter 38 (Health and Safety), Texas Education Code. (TEC §12.104(b)(2)(K)) Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school adopts the requirements of Chapter 38 (Health and Safety), Texas Education Code pursuant to TEC §12.104(b)(2)(K). Where “school or school district” is used in Chapter 38 (Health and Safety), Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school hereby substitutes “open-enrollment charter school” to conform to these requirements. Screening and Treatment for Dyslexia and Related Disorders Students enrolling in Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter schools in this state shall be tested for dyslexia and related disorders at appropriate times in accordance with a program approved by the State Board of Education. (TEC §38.003(a)) It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to refrain from retesting a dyslexic student for the purposes of reassessing the need for accommodations until the school has reevaluated the information from previous testing. (TEC §38.003(b-1)) In accordance with the program approved by the State Board of Education, the board of trustees of each school open-enrollment charter schools shall provide for the treatment of any student determined to have dyslexia or a related disorder. (TEC §38.003(b)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 2 Updated April 2016 In TEC §38.003: 1. "Dyslexia" means a disorder of constitutional origin manifested by a difficulty in learning to read, write, or spell, despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence, and sociocultural opportunity. 2. Related disorders" includes disorders similar to or related to dyslexia, such as developmental auditory imperceptions, dysphasia, specific developmental dyslexia, developmental dysgraphia, and developmental spelling disability. (TEC §38.003(d)) Westlake Academy will report the number of students enrolled in the school who are identified as having dyslexia through the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS). (TEC §42.006) Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 10 NEW SPRING 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY SPECIAL EDUCATION Eligibility Eligibility Criteria A student that is at least 3 years old but not more than 21 years of age may be eligible for special education services. Through an evaluation, if a student is found to have a disability in one of the following categories, and has an educational need, they may be found eligible for special education: 1) Intellectual Disability 2) Hearing impairment 3) Visual Impairment 4) Speech or Language impairment 5) Emotional disturbance 6) Orthopedic impairment 7) Other health impairment 8) Traumatic brain injury 9) Deaf-blindness 10) Specific Learning Disability 11) Autism 12) Developmental delay 13) Multiple Disabilities (34 CFR § 300.008) Additionally, a student is eligible to participate in Westlake Academy open- enrollment charter school’s special education program if the student is not more than 21 years of age and has a visual or auditory impairment that prevents the student from being adequately or safely educated in public school without the provision of special services. (TEC §29.003) Determining Eligibility Following the completion of the full and individual initial evaluation, the student’s admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee must make an eligibility determination. The ARD committee members reviewing evaluations and date to determine eligibility must include a licensed Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 10 NEW SPRING 2016 specialist in school psychology (LSSP), an educational diagnostician, or other appropriately certified or licensed practitioner with experience, and a licensed or certified professional for a specific eligibility category defined below under ‘Eligibility Definitions’. (19 TAC §89.1040) When interpreting evaluation data for the purpose of determining if a student is a student with a disability under § 300.8, and the educational needs of the student, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must— 1) Draw upon information from a variety of sources, including aptitude and achievement tests, parent input, and teacher recommendations, as well as information about the child’s physical condition, social or cultural background, and adaptive behavior; and 2) Ensure that information obtained from all of these sources is documented and carefully considered. If a student is determined to be a student with a disability and needs special education and related services, an IEP must be developed for the student in accordance with §§ 300.320 through 300.324. (34 CFR §300.306) A student is not eligible for special education services through the evaluation, if a student is found to only need related services. A student cannot be found eligible for services if the determinant factor for that determination is lack of appropriate instruction in reading, including in the essential components of reading instruction, lack of appropriate instruction in math, or limited English proficiency. (34 CFR §300.306(b)) For children aged three through nine, or any subset of that age range, may be a child with a disability if the student is: 1) experiencing developmental delays, as defined by the State and as measured by appropriate diagnostic instruments and procedures, in one or more of the following areas: Physical development, cognitive development, communication development, social or emotional development, or adaptive development; and 2) needs special education and related services. (34 CFR §300.8(b)) Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 10 NEW SPRING 2016 Eligibility Definitions Intellectual Disability A student qualifies as a student with an intellectual disability if the student has significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period, that adversely affects a student’s educational performance. (34 CFR §300.8(c)(6); 19 TAC §89.1040(c)(5)) Speech or Language impairment A communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The evaluation team at Westlake Academy open- enrollment charter school must include a certified speech and hearing therapist, a certified speech and language therapist, or a licensed speech/language pathologist. (34 CFR §300.8(c)(11); 19 TAC 89.1040(c)(10)) Emotional disturbance A student may be eligible for services as a student with an emotional disturbance if they exhibit one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child’s educational performance: 1) An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors; 2) An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers; 3) Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances; 4) A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or 5) A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems. Emotional disturbance includes schizophrenia, but does not include children who are socially maladjusted, unless it is determined that they have an emotional disturbance. A written evaluation must include recommendations Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 10 NEW SPRING 2016 for behavior intervention strategies. (34 CFR §300.8(c)(4); 19 TAC §89.1040(c)(4)) Orthopedic impairment A severe orthopedic impairment, including impairments caused by congenital anomaly, impairments caused by disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures). If the impairment adversely impacts a student’s educational performance, the student is eligible under this category. (34 CFR §300.8(c)(8); 19 TAC §89.1040(10)) The multidisciplinary team determining eligibility must include a licensed physician. (19 TAC §89.1040(10)) Other Health Impairment (OHI) A student with limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli caused by chronic or acute health problems such as: 1) Asthma 2) Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 3) Diabetes 4) Epilepsy 5) Heart Condition 6) Hemophilia 7) Lead poisoning 8) Leukemia 9) Nephritis 10) Rheumatic Fever 11) Sickle Cell Anemia 12) Tourette Syndrome If the health condition limits alertness in the educational environment and adversely impacts a student’s learning, they are eligible for OHI. In determining eligibility, Westlake Academy must include a licensed physician on the multidisciplinary team. Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 5 of 10 NEW SPRING 2016 Traumatic brain injury An acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects a student’s educational performance. Traumatic brain injury applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas, such as cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-solving; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. Traumatic brain injury does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or to brain injuries induced by birth trauma. Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must include a licensed physician, and a licensed specialist in school psychology (LSSP), an educational diagnostician, or other appropriately certified or licensed practitioner with experience and training in this area to review the data and determine eligibility. (19 TAC §89.1040(11)) Hearing or Auditory impairment and Deafness A student with an impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a student’s educational performance but is not included under the definition of deafness. The student’s evaluation must include an otological examination performed by an otologist or by a licensed medical doctor, with documentation that an otologist is not reasonably available. Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must also conduct an audiological evaluation by a licensed audiologist. The evaluation must include a description of the implications of the hearing loss for the student's hearing in a variety of circumstances with or without recommended amplification. (34 CFR §300.8(c)(5); 19 TAC 89.1040(c)(3)) Deafness Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 6 of 10 NEW SPRING 2016 Deafness is a hearing impairment that is so severe that the student is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification that adversely affects a student’s educational performance. (34 CFR §300.8(c)(3)) Visual Impairment Including Blindness An impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a student’s educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness. (34 CFR 300.8(c)(13). A student with a visual impairment is one who: 1) has been determined by a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist to have no vision or to have a serious visual loss after correction; or to have a progressive medical condition that results in no vision or a serious visual loss after correction. 2) has been determined by the following evaluations to have a need for special services, including: a) a functional vision evaluation by a professional certified in the education of students with visual impairments or a certified orientation and mobility instructor. The evaluation must include the performance of tasks in a variety of environments requiring the use of both near and distance vision and recommendations concerning the need for a clinical low vision evaluation and an orientation and mobility evaluation; b) a learning media assessment by a professional certified in the education of students with visual impairments. The learning media assessment must include recommendations concerning which specific visual, tactual, and/or auditory learning media are appropriate for the student and whether or not there is a need for ongoing evaluation in this area. (19 TAC 89.1040(12)(A)) Through evaluation, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school should state the student’s visual loss in exact measures of visual field and corrected visual acuity at a distance and at close range in each eye by a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist. The report should also include Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 7 of 10 NEW SPRING 2016 prognosis whenever possible. If exact measures cannot be obtained, the eye specialist must so state and provide best estimates. A student that qualifies as a student with a visual impairment is considered functionally blind if, based on the preceding evaluations, the student will use tactual media (which includes Braille) as a primary tool for learning to be able to communicate in both reading and writing at the same level of proficiency as other students of comparable ability. (19 TAC §89.1040(12)(B)) Deaf-blindness A student is eligible under deaf-blindness if identified with hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes such severe communication and other developmental and educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for students with deafness or students with blindness. (34 CFR §300.8(c)(2)) In addition to the IDEA requirements, a student may be eligible if a student is found to: 1) meet the eligibility criteria for auditory impairment specified in subsection 19 TAC §89.1040(c)(3) and visual impairment specified in subsection 19 TAC §89.1040 (c)(12); 2) meet the eligibility criteria for a student with a visual impairment and has a suspected hearing loss that cannot be demonstrated conclusively, but a speech/language therapist, a certified speech and language therapist, or a licensed speech language pathologist indicates there is no speech at an age when speech would normally be expected; 3) have documented hearing and visual losses that, if considered individually, may not meet the requirements for auditory impairment or visual impairment, but the combination of such losses adversely affects the student's educational performance; or 4) have a documented medical diagnosis of a progressive medical condition that will result in concomitant hearing and visual losses that, without special education intervention, will adversely affect the student's educational performance. (19 TAC §89.1040(c)) Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 8 of 10 NEW SPRING 2016 Specific Learning Disability Specific learning disability includes a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. (34 CFR §300.8(c)(10)) In addition to being identified as having a disorder that impacts a basic psychological process, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must also show that the student does not achieve adequately for the student’s age or meet state-approved grade-level standards in oral expression, listening comprehension, written expression, basic reading skill, reading fluency skills, reading comprehension, mathematics calculation, or mathematics problem solving when provided appropriate instruction, as indicated by performance on multiple measures such as in-class tests; grade average over time (e.g. six weeks, semester); norm- or criterion- referenced tests; statewide assessments; or a process based on the child's response to scientific, research-based intervention. Westlake Academy’s evaluation must also show that the student: 1) does not make sufficient progress when provided a process based on the student’s response to scientific, research-based intervention (as defined in 20 USC, §7801(37)), as indicated by the student’s performance relative to the performance of the student’s peers on repeated, curriculum-based assessments of achievement at reasonable intervals, reflecting student progress during classroom instruction; or 2) the student exhibits a pattern of strengths and weaknesses in performance, achievement, or both relative to age, grade-level standards, or intellectual ability, as indicated by significant variance among specific areas of cognitive function, such as working memory and verbal comprehension, or between specific areas of cognitive function and academic achievement. (19 TAC §89.1040(c)(9)) A specific learning disability does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of mental Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 9 of 10 NEW SPRING 2016 retardation, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage. (34 CFR §300.8(c)(10)) Prior to identifying a student as one with a learning disability, Westlake Academy must ensure that the suspected disability is not due to lack of educational opportunity or lack of appropriate instruction. Westlake Academy must consider data that shows the student has received appropriate instruction in math and reading in the general education setting. Westlake Academy must also consider documentation of repeated assessments of achievement at reasonable intervals, reflecting formal evaluation of student progress during instruction. This may include, but is not limited to, RTI progress results, in-class tests on grade- level curriculum, or other regularly administered assessments. Intervals are considered reasonable if consistent with the assessment requirements of a student's specific instructional program. (19 TAC §89.1040(c)(9)) Autism A student with autism is one that meets the criteria outlined in 34 CFR §300.8(c)(1) of the IDEA. It also includes students with pervasive developmental disorders. (19 TAC 89.1040(c)(1)) Under IDEA, autism is a developmental disability significantly affecting a student’s verbal and nonverbal communication and social interactions that adversely affects a student’s educational performance. Engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences are often associated with autism. Characteristics of autism are generally evident before age three. A child who manifests the characteristics of autism after age three could be identified as having autism if the student meets the above criteria also defined in 34 CFR §300.8(c)(1)(i). A student does not meet the eligibility category for autism if a student’s educational performance is adversely affected primarily because the student has an emotional disturbance, as defined above and in 34 CFR §300.8(c)(4). Westlake Academy 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 10 of 10 NEW SPRING 2016 (34 CFR §300.8(c)(1)). The written evaluation determining eligibility under autism must include recommendations for behavior interventions. (19 TAC 89.1040(c)(1)) Multiple Disabilities A student may qualify as a student with multiple disabilities if they are identified to have a combination of impairments (such as mental retardation- blindness or mental retardation-orthopedic impairment) and the combination causes such severe educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for one of the impairments. Multiple disabilities does not include deaf-blindness. (34 CFR §300.8(c)(7)) The impairments must be expected to continue indefinitely and the impairments must severely limit performance in 2 or more of the following: 1) psychomotor skills 2) self-care skills 3) communication 4) social and emotional development, or 5) cognition A student that qualifies for more than one impairment, but does not severely impair performance in one of the above categories, or is not expected to continue indefinitely, does not qualify as a student with multiple disabilities. (19 TAC §89.1040(c)(6)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 7 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY EVALUATION PROCEDURES It is the policy of the Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to ensure that upon completion of the administration of such tests and other evaluation materials administered according to the evaluation procedures of the IDEA, and preparation of the written report, the ARD committee determines if the student is a student with a disability under state and federal standards. Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE) Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must conduct a full and individual initial evaluation (FIE) prior to providing special education and related services to any student. All students must be evaluated in accordance with the IDEA and Texas Education Code. Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must have in place procedures to ensure that testing and evaluation materials and procedures utilized for the purposes of evaluation and placement of students with disabilities are selected and administered so as to not be racially, culturally, or gender discriminatory. Assessment and procedures shall be provided and administered in the student’s native language or most proficient mode of communication and in the form most likely to yield accurate information on what the student knows and can do academically, developmentally, and functionally, unless it is clearly not feasible to do so. (34 CFR §300.301; TEC §29.310) All implementing assessment procedures must differentiate between language proficiency and handicapping condition. Additionally, placement procedures must ensure that placement in a bilingual education or English as a second language program is not refused solely because the student has a disability. (19 TAC §89.1230) No single procedure shall be the sole criterion for determining whether a student is a student with a disability or for determining an appropriate Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 7 Updated April 2016 education program for a student with a disability. The evaluation must be sufficiently comprehensive to identify all of the student’s special education and related services’ needs. Each student must be evaluated in all suspected areas of disability. (34 CFR §§300.301 and 300.304; TEC §29.310) All assessments must be administered in accordance with the instructions provided and by a trained and knowledgeable person. (34 CFR §§300.301 and 300.304) Timeline If parent provides a written request for an evaluation, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school will provide the parent with consent for evaluation or prior written notice and procedural safeguards if the school is denying the request for evaluation, within 15 school days. (TEC §29.004(c)) A written FIE report must be completed not later than the 45th school day following the date on which Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school receives written consent for the evaluation, signed by the student's parent or legal guardian. If the student is absent for more than 3 days in that time period, the timeline must be extended by the number of days the student was absent. (TEC §29.004(a)) This time frame shall not apply if: 1) A student enrolls in the current school after the relevant time frame has begun and before the previous school made a determination as to whether the student has a disability, but only if the current school is making sufficient progress to ensure a prompt completion of the evaluation and the parent and current school agree to a specific time for completion of the evaluation; or 2) The parent repeatedly fails or refuses to produce the student for the evaluation. (34 CFR §300.301(d)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 7 Updated April 2016 Following the completion of the FIE, the ARD committee must meet within 30 calendar days from the date of completion to review and determine eligibility. (TEC 29.004) If the student is an English language learner, the language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC) must also attend the meeting to determine services. (19 TAC §89.1230) If Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school receives written consent for an FIE from a student’s parent or guardian at least 35 but less than 45 school days before the last instructional day of the school year, the evaluation must be completed and the written report of the evaluation must be provided to the parent or legal guardian not later than June 30 of that year. The ARD committee must meet by the 15h school day of the following school year to consider the evaluation. If Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school receives written consent signed by a student's parent or legal guardian less than 35 school days before the last instructional day of the school year or if the school receives the written consent at least 35 but less than 45 school days before the last instructional day of the school year but the student is absent from school during that period on three or more days, the FIE must be completed not later than the 45th school day after receiving consent. School days do not include days following the last instructional day of the spring term and before the first day of the fall term. (TEC 29.004) Specific Learning Disability Evaluation The Texas Education Agency (TEA) cannot require Westlake Academy open- enrollment charter school to use the severe discrepancy between intellectual ability and achievement for determining whether a student has a specific learning disability. TEA must permit the use of a process based on the child’s response to scientific, research-based intervention; and may permit the use Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 7 Updated April 2016 of other alternative research-based procedures for determining whether a student has a specific learning disability. (34 CFR §300.307) Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) A functional behavior assessment (FBA) may be necessary for a student whose behavior impedes their education. Prior to completing an FBA, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must get consent from the parent. (34 CFR §§300.9) If an ARD committee determines a change of placement is necessary due to the student’s behavior, it must conduct an FBA and implement a BIP. If an FBA was already completed, the ARD committee must review and update the BIP. (34 CFR §300.350(f)) Review of Existing Evaluation Data (REED) A Review of Existing Evaluation Data (REED) is required as part of an initial evaluation, if appropriate, and as part of any reevaluation. The REED must be conducted by the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee members and other qualified professionals, as appropriate. The ARD committee members may conduct the review without a meeting. The REED must include a review of the following: • Evaluations and information provided by the parents of the student; • Current classroom-based, local, or State assessments, and classroom- based observations; and • Observations by teachers and related services providers. On the basis of that review, and input from the student’s parents, the ARD committee members must identify what additional data, if any, are needed to determine: Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 5 of 7 Updated April 2016 • Whether the student is a student with a disability, and the educational needs of the student, or, in case of a reevaluation of a student, whether the student continues to have such a disability and the educational needs of the student; • Whether the student needs special education and related services, or in the case of a reevaluation of a student, whether the student continues to need special education and related services; • The present levels of academic achievement and related developmental needs of the student; and • Whether any additions or modifications to the special education and related services are needed to enable the student to meet the measurable annual goals set out in the individualized education program (IEP) of the student and to participate, as appropriate, in the general education curriculum. The Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must administer any assessments or other evaluation measures needed to produce the data identified by the REED in accordance with applicable procedural requirements regarding notice and consent. If additional data is not needed, the ARD committee must notify the parent of the determination decision and provide information about the parent’s right to request additional assessments to determine student needs and eligibility. (34 CFR §300.305) A reevaluation may not occur more than once per year, unless agreed to by the school and the parent. A reevaluation must occur at least every three years, unless the school and parent agree the evaluation is unnecessary. (34 CFR §300.303) Change in Eligibility Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must evaluate a student with a disability before determining a student is no longer eligible for special education and related services. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 6 of 7 Updated April 2016 An evaluation is not required if a student is no longer eligible due to graduation or exceeding the age eligibility in Texas. However, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must create a summary of performance and include recommendations on how to assist the student in meeting postsecondary goals. (34 CFR §300.305(e)) Consideration of Services Provided in Regular Education Setting To ensure that underachievement in the student suspected of having a specific learning disability is not due to lack of appropriate instruction in reading or math, the group of qualified professionals, as part of a full and individual evaluation, must consider • Data that demonstrate that prior to, or as part of, the referral process, the student was provided appropriate instruction in regular education settings, delivered by qualified personnel; and • Data-based documentation of repeated assessments of achievement at reasonable intervals, reflecting formal assessment of progress during instruction, which was provided to the student’s parents. (34 CFR 300.309(b)) Coordination of Evaluations with Prior and Subsequent Schools The school shall ensure that evaluations of students who transfer from one LEA to another in the same academic year are coordinated with the student’s prior and subsequent schools, as necessary and as expeditiously as possible, to ensure prompt completion of evaluations. (20 U.S.C. 1414(b)(3)(D)) Information and Consent for Certain Psychological Examinations or Tests On request of a student’s parent, before obtaining the parent's consent under 20 U.S.C. §1414 for the administration of any psychological examination or test to the student that is included as part of the evaluation of the student’s need for special education, Westlake Academy open- enrollment charter school must provide to the student’s parent: Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 7 of 7 Updated April 2016 1) the name and type of the examination or test; and 2) an explanation of how the examination or test will be used to develop an appropriate individualized education program for the child. (TEC §29.0041(a)) If Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school determines that an additional examination or test is required for the evaluation of a student’s need for special education after obtaining consent from the student’s parent under TEC §29.0041(a), Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school shall provide the information described by TEC §§29.0041(a)(1) and (2) to the student’s parent regarding the additional examination or test and shall obtain additional consent for the examination or test. (TEC §29.0041(b)) If a parent does not give consent under TEC §29.0041(b) within 20 calendar days after the date Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school provided to the parent the information required by that TEC §29.0041(b), the parent's consent is considered denied. (TEC §29.0041(c)) Extension of Timelines For a specific learning disability, the timelines for evaluation under this policy may be extended by mutual written agreement of the student’s parents and the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee. (34 CFR 300.309(c)) Evaluation Conducted Pursuant to a Special Education Due Process Hearing A special education hearing officer in an impartial due process hearing brought under 20 U.S.C. §1415 may issue an order or decision that authorizes one or more evaluations of a student who is eligible for, or who is suspected as being eligible for, special education services. Such an order or decision authorizes the evaluation of the student without parental consent as if it were a court order for purposes of any State or federal law providing for consent by order of a court. (TEC §29.016) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Applicability of Title Relating to Extracurricular Activities Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school is subject to a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as applicable, imposed by Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, or a rule adopted under Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, relating to extracurricular activities under TEC §33.081 (Extracurricular Activities). (TEC §12.104(b)(2)(I)) The Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school adopts the requirements of TEC §33.081 (Extracurricular Activities) pursuant to TEC §12.104(b)(2)(I). Where “school or school district” is used in TEC §33.081, the Westlake Academy Open-Enrollment Charter School hereby substitutes “open-enrollment charter school” to conform to these requirements. Participation All students must have an equal opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities, regardless of their disability. Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school may not operate activities based on generalizations, assumptions, prejudices, or stereotypes about disability generally, or specific disabilities in particular. In order to ensure students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities, Westlake Academy will make reasonable modifications or provide aids and services that are necessary, unless such a modification would fundamentally alter the program. For competitive activities or programs, the school may require a certain level of skill to participate. (Dear Colleague Letter: Students with Disabilities in Extracurricular Athletics (January 25, 2013)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 Updated April 2016 No Pass, No Play Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school shall comply with the “no pass, no play” rules as set forth in TEC §33.081. A student who participates in a University Interscholastic League (UIL) competition will be suspended from participation in any extracurricular activity sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League after a grade evaluation period in which the student received a grade lower than the equivalent of 70 on a scale of 100 in any academic class other than a course described by TEC §33.081(d-1). (TEC §33.081(c)) A suspension continues for at least three school weeks and is not removed during the school year until the conditions of TEC §33.081(d) are met. A suspension does not last beyond the end of a school year. For purposes of TEC §33.081(c), "grade evaluation period" means: 1) the six-week grade reporting period; or 2) the first six weeks of a semester and each grade reporting period thereafter, in the case of a school or charter school with a grade reporting period longer than six weeks. (TEC §33.081(c)) For students with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), if the disability significantly interferes with the student's ability to meet regular academic standards, suspension must be based on the student's failure to meet the requirements of the student's individualized education program (IEP). The determination of whether a disability significantly interferes with a student's ability to meet regular academic standards must be made by the student's admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee. (TEC §33.081(e)) Participation of Charter School in UIL Activities If the open-enrollment charter school chooses to participate in UIL activities, the open-enrollment charter school shall comply with UIL rules. (Subchapter Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 3 Updated April 2016 D (Membership in League), Section 11 (Admission to Membership), UIL Constitution and Contest Rules). Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 2 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY FOSTER PARENTS Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must give preferential consideration to a foster parent of a child with a disability when assigning a surrogate parent for the child. (TEC §29.015(a)) A foster parent may act as a parent of a child with a disability, as authorized under 20 U.S.C. §1415(b) and its subsequent amendments, if: 1) the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services is appointed as the temporary or permanent managing conservator of the child; 2) the child has been placed with the foster parent for at least 60 days; 3) the foster parent agrees to: a. participate in making educational decisions on the child's behalf; and b. complete a training program for surrogate parents that complies with minimum standards established by the Texas Education Agency rule; and 4) the foster parent has no interest that conflicts with the child's interests. (TEC §29.015(b)) A foster parent who is denied the right to act as a surrogate parent or a parent under TEC §29.015 by an open-enrollment charter school may file a complaint with the Texas Education Agency in accordance with federal law and regulations. (TEC §29.015(c)) It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to provide notice to the student’s educational decision-maker and caseworker regarding events that may significantly impact the education of a student, including: 1) requests or referrals for an evaluation under Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794), or special education under Section 29.003; Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 2 Updated April 2016 2) admission, review, and dismissal committee meetings; 3) manifestation determination reviews required by Section 37.004(b); 4) any disciplinary actions under Chapter 37 for which parental notice is required; 5) citations issued for Class C misdemeanor offenses on school property or at school-sponsored activities; 6) reports of restraint and seclusion required by Section 37.0021; and 7) use of corporal punishment as provided by Section 37.0011. (TEC §25.007) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 2 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to ensure that all students with disabilities within its jurisdiction, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated and a practical method is developed and implemented to determine which students with disabilities are currently receiving needed special education and related services in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It is the policy of the Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to ensure that a free appropriate public education (FAPE) is available to all students with disabilities beginning no later than when the student turns three through the school year in which the student reaches 21 years of age, including students who have been suspended or expelled from school in accordance with the IDEA. (34 CFR §300.18) Eligible students with disabilities shall enjoy the right to a FAPE, which may include instruction in the regular classroom, instruction through special teaching, or instruction through approved contracts. Instruction shall be supplemented by the provision of related services when appropriate. (TEC §29.003(a)) FAPE means special education and related services that are provided at public expense, meet standards set out by TEA, include appropriate preschool, elementary school and secondary school, and the services are provided in accordance to the student’s IEP. (20 U.S.C. 1401(9); 34 C.F.R. §§300.13, 300.17, and 300.36) A free appropriate public education requires Westlake Academy open- enrollment charter school to provide each student who qualifies for special education and related services, an education that confers some educational Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 2 Updated April 2016 benefit to the student. (34 CFR §300.17; Bd. of Edu. Hendrick Hudson Cent. Sch. Dist. v. Rowley, 458 U. S. 176, (1982)) Each student who receives special education and related services, will receive an individual education program, be educated in the least restrictive environment, and services will be provided in a coordinated manor to ensure students make progress. (Cypress-Fairbanks ISD v. Michael F., 118 F.3d 245 (5th Cir. 1997)). Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 1 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Applicability of Title Relating to High School Graduation An open-enrollment charter school is subject to a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as applicable, imposed by Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, or a rule adopted under Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, relating to high school graduation under TEC §28.025. (TEC §12.104(b)(2)(E)) Westlake Academy has adopted graduation requirements in Board Policy No. 6.04, which incorporates the requirements of TEC §28.025 (High School Diploma and Certificate; Academic Achievement Record) for the advanced high school program. In accordance with State Board of Education (SBOE) rules, a student who is unable to participate in physical activity due to disability or illness is allowed to substitute one credit in English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies or one academic elective credit for the required physical education credit. A credit allowed to be substituted may not also be used by the student to satisfy a graduation requirement other than completion of the physical education credit. The determination regarding a student’s ability to participate in physical activity must be made by: If the student receives special education services under Education Code Chapter 29, Subchapter A, the student’s ARD committee; If the student does not receive special education services under Education Code Chapter 29, Subchapter A but is covered by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. Section 794, the committee established for the student under that Act; or If each of the described committees is inapplicable, a committee established by the School of persons with appropriate knowledge regarding the student. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 2 TEC §28.025(b-11). High School Diploma and Certificate; Academic Achievement Record The open-enrollment charter school shall comply with the graduation standards of TEC §28.025. Westlake Academy does not issue a certificate of coursework completion to a student who successfully completes the curriculum requirements for graduation, but who fails to comply with TEC §39.025 (Secondary-Level Performance Required) relating to exit-level assessment requirements. Westlake Academy shall issue a certificate of attendance to a student who receives special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and who has completed four years of high school but has not completed the student's individualized education program (IEP). Westlake Academy shall allow a student who receives a certificate pursuant to this paragraph to participate in a graduation ceremony with students receiving high school diplomas. A student may participate in only one graduation ceremony under TEC §28.025(f). TEC §28.025(f) does not preclude a student from receiving a diploma if the student successfully completes an individualized education program. (TEC §28.025(f)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 3 Personal Graduation Plan A charter holder of an open enrollment charter school shall consider including in the school’s charter a requirement that the school develop and administer personal graduation plans under TEC §28.0212 (Personal Graduation Plan). (TEC §12.111(b)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 6 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY HEALTH AND SAFETY Applicability of Title Relating to Health and Safety An open-enrollment charter school is subject to a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as applicable, imposed by Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, or a rule adopted under Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, relating to health and safety under Chapter 38 (Health and Safety), Texas Education Code. (TEC §12.104(b)(2)(K)) The Westlake Academy Open-Enrollment Charter School adopts the requirements of Chapter 38 (Health and Safety), Texas Education Code pursuant to TEC §12.104(b)(2)(K). Access to Medical Records A school administrator, nurse, or teacher is entitled to access to a student's medical records maintained by the open-enrollment charter school for reasons determined by policy, as follows: when a legitimate educational interest exists or as otherwise allowed by Board Policy No. 3.01. (TEC §38.009(a)) A school administrator, nurse, or teacher who views medical records under this TEC §38.009 shall maintain the confidentiality of those medical records. (TEC §38.009(b)) TEC §38.009 does not authorize a school administrator, nurse, or teacher to require a student to be tested to determine the student's medical condition or status. (TEC §38.009(c)) Parental Access to Medical Records Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 6 A parent or guardian of a student is entitled to access to the student's medical records maintained by the school. (TEC §38.0095(a)) On request of a student's parent or guardian, the school shall provide a copy of the student's medical records to the parent or guardian. The school may not impose a charge for providing the copy that exceeds the charge authorized by Section 552.261, Government Code, for providing a copy of public information. (TEC §38.0095(b)) Referral to Outside Counselors An open-enrollment charter school or school employee may not refer a student to an outside counselor for care or treatment of a chemical dependency or an emotional or psychological condition unless the school: (1) obtains prior written consent for the referral from the student's parent; (2) discloses to the student's parent any relationship between the school and the outside counselor; (3) informs the student and the student's parent of any alternative public or private source of care or treatment reasonably available in the area; (4) requires the approval of appropriate school personnel before a student may be referred for care or treatment or before a referral is suggested as being warranted; and (5) specifically prohibits any disclosure of a student record that violates state or federal law. (TEC §38.010(a)) In TEC §38.010, "parent" includes a managing conservator or guardian. (TEC §38.010(b)) Implementation of Coordinated Health Program Each open-enrollment charter school shall: Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 6 (1) participate in appropriate training for the implementation of the program approved by the Texas Education Agency under Section 38.013 (Coordinated Health Program for Elementary, Middle and Junior High School Students) designed to prevent obesity, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes; and (2) implement the program in each elementary school, middle school, and junior high school. (TEC §38.014(a)) Reporting of Certain Health and Safety Information Each open-enrollment charter school shall provide to the agency information as required by the Commissioner, including statistics and data, relating to student health and physical activity and information described by TEC §28.004(k) (Local School Health Advisory Council and Health Education Instruction), presented in a form determined by the Commissioner. (TEC §38.0141) Self-Administration of Prescription Asthma or Anaphylaxis Medicine by Students For purposes of TEC §38.015: (1) "Parent" includes a person standing in parental relation. (2) "Self-administration of prescription asthma or anaphylaxis medicine" means a student's discretionary use of prescription asthma or anaphylaxis medicine. (TEC §38.015(a)) A student with asthma or anaphylaxis is entitled to possess and self- administer prescription asthma or anaphylaxis medicine while on school property or at a school-related event or activity if: Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 6 (1) the prescription medicine has been prescribed for that student as indicated by the prescription label on the medicine; (2) the student has demonstrated to the student's physician or other licensed health care provider and the school nurse, if available, the skill level necessary to self-administer the prescription medication, including the use of any device required to administer the medication; (3) the self-administration is done in compliance with the prescription or written instructions from the student's physician or other licensed health care provider; and (4) a parent of the student provides to the school: (A) a written authorization, signed by the parent, for the student to self-administer the prescription medicine while on school property or at a school-related event or activity; and (B) a written statement from the student's physician or other licensed health care provider, signed by the physician or provider, that states: (i) that the student has asthma or anaphylaxis and is capable of self-administering the prescription medicine; (ii) the name and purpose of the medicine; (iii) the prescribed dosage for the medicine; (iv) the times at which or circumstances under which the medicine may be administered; and (v) the period for which the medicine is prescribed. (TEC §38.015(b)) The physician's statement must be kept on file in the office of the school nurse of the school the student attends or, if there is not a school nurse, in the office of the principal of the school the student attends. (TEC §38.015(c)) TEC §38.015 does not: (1) waive any liability or immunity of a governmental unit or its officers or employees; or Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 5 of 6 (2) create any liability for or a cause of action against a governmental unit or its officers or employees. (TEC §38.015(d)) Psychotropic Drugs and Psychiatric Evaluations or Examinations For purposes of TEC §38.016: (1) "Parent" includes a guardian or other person standing in parental relation. (2) "Psychotropic drug" means a substance that is: (A) used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease or as a component of a medication; and (B) intended to have an altering effect on perception, emotion, or behavior. (TEC §38.016(a)) An open-enrollment charter school employee may not: (1) recommend that a student use a psychotropic drug; or (2) suggest any particular diagnosis; or (3) use the refusal by a parent to consent to administration of a psychotropic drug to a student or to a psychiatric evaluation or examination of a student as grounds, by itself, for prohibiting the child from attending a class or participating in a school-related activity. (TEC §38.016(b)) The provisions of TEC §38.016(b) do not: (1) prevent an appropriate referral under the child find system required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. Section 1412, as amended; or (2) prohibit a school employee who is a registered nurse, advanced nurse practitioner, physician, or certified or appropriately credentialed mental health professional from recommending that a child be evaluated by an appropriate medical practitioner; or Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 6 of 6 (3) prohibit a school employee from discussing any aspect of a child's behavior or academic progress with the child's parent or another school employee. (TEC §38.016(c)) The open-enrollment charter school shall ensure implementation and enforcement of this TEC § 38.016 concerning psychotropic drugs and psychiatric evaluations or examinations. An act in violation of TEC §38.016(b) does not override the immunity from personal liability granted in TEC §22.0511 (Immunity from Liability) or other law or the school’s sovereign and governmental immunity. (TEC §38.016(e)) School-Based Health Centers An open-enrollment charter school may, if the school identifies the need, design a model in accordance with this Subchapter B (School-Based Health Centers), Chapter 38, Texas Education Code, for the delivery of cooperative health care programs for students and their families and may compete for grants awarded under this Subchapter B (School-Based Health Centers). The model may provide for the delivery of conventional health services and disease prevention of emerging health threats that are specific to the school. (TEC §38.051(a)) Westlake Academy does not provide health services or participate in cooperative health care programs. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 10 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY SPECIAL EDUCATION INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAM It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to ensure that an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed, reviewed, and revised for each student with a disability who receives special education and relates services in accordance with the IDEA. (34 CFR §§300.22 and 300.020-300.024) IEP Implementation At the beginning of each school year, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school will have in effect an IEP for each student with a disability that qualifies for special education and related services. (34 CFR §300.323) Once an IEP is developed, the IEP must be implemented as soon as possible. Additionally, Westlake Academy will provide the parent with 5 days written notice prior to implementing a new IEP. However, the parent may waive the 5 days written notice and allow the IEP to be implemented immediately. (34 CFR §300.323; 19 TAC §89.1050) Responsibility of the ARD Committee The ARD committee must determine needed special education services, meaning specially-designed instruction that is provided at no cost to parents and meets the unique needs of the student with a disability. (34 CFR §300.320(a)(4)) In determining a free appropriate public education for a student who receives special education, the ARD committee must determine needed related services as defined by 34 CFR §300.34. The ARD committee must consider the concerns of the parent in developing the IEP of a student with a disability. (34 CFR §300.324(a)(1)(ii)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 10 Contents of an IEP Least Restrictive Environment The ARD committee must determine the least restrictive environment for each student in accordance with the IDEA. When creating the schedule of services for each student, it is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to be clear and specific, and ensure that the student receives services in the least restrictive environment. For further explanation see the Least Restrictive Environment policy. (34 CFR §300.114; 19 TAC §89.1050) Related Services Related services must be provided to a student who qualifies for special education, if those related services are needed to ensure the student receives a free appropriate public education. Related services means transportation and developmental, corrective, and other supportive services required to assist a student with a disability to benefit from special education. Other related services include speech- language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, early identification and assessment of disabilities in children, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes. Each related services is defined in accordance with the IDEA, 34 CFR §300.34. Related services also include school health services and school nurse services, social work services in schools, and parent counseling and training. However, for students with surgically implanted devices, it does not include a medical device, the optimization of that device’s functioning, maintenance of that device, or replacement. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 10 (34 CFR §300.34) Supplementary Aids and Services The ARD committee must determine needed supplementary aids and services to be provided to the student, or on behalf of the student. This includes aids, services, and other supports that are provided in regular education classes, other education-related settings, and in extracurricular and nonacademic settings, to enable students with disabilities to be educated with nondisabled students to the maximum extent appropriate. (34 CFR §300.42). Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance The ARD committee must provide a statement of the student’s present levels of academic achievement and functional performance. The statement must include a summary of how the student’s disability affects the student’s involvement and progress in the general curriculum or, in the case of a pre- school student, participation in appropriate activities. (34 CFR §300.320(a)(1)) Goals The ARD committee must include in the student’s individualized education program (IEP) a statement of measurable annual academic and functional goals designed to: • Meet the student’s needs that result from the student’s disability to enable the student to be involved in and to make progress in the general education curriculum; and • Meet each of the student’s other educational needs that result from the student’s disability. (34 CFR §300.320(a)(2)(i)) State Assessment Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 10 The ARD committee must select which state assessment a student with a disability will take. As part of that decision, the ARD committee will also select accommodations available to the student. The student’s ARD committee will determine whether satisfactory performance on the required assessments is necessary for graduation. (34 CFR §300.320; 19 TAC §§89.1070; 89.1055) For more about state assessments, see Testing-Student Assessment policy. Graduation A high school student’s IEP shall include information on the student’s graduation plan. See Graduation policy for more information. (19 TAC §89.1050) Transition Planning When a student with a disability turns 14, an ARD committee must begin transition planning. Transition services must be outlined in the student’s IEP in accordance with IDEA and the Texas Education Code. See Transition Services policy for a detailed explanation of transition services. (34 CFR §300.320; TEC §29.011) Extended School Year (ESY) Services The need for ESY services must be determined on an individual basis by the admission, review and dismissal (ARD) committee. ESY services are individualized instructional programs beyond the regular school year for eligible students with disabilities. Westlake Academy open enrollment charter school must ensure that ESY services are available as necessary to provide a student with a disability with a free appropriate public education. ESY services may not be limited to particular categories of disability or by the type, amount, or duration of ESY services. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 5 of 10 (34 C.F.R. §300.106; 19 TAC §89.1065) Accommodations and Modifications The ARD committee will determine what accommodations and modifications are required to meet the student’s needs in all subject areas. All agreed upon accommodations and modifications will be listed in the IEP and provided to the student’s teachers. Deliberations Each IEP will include deliberations of the ARD committee meeting. Included in those notes will be the date of the meeting, as well as name of those in attendance, their title, each signature, and whether the parent and administrator agreed or disagreed. (TEC §29.005) It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to include a brief summary of topics discussed, requests and decisions regarding services, and other notes to make clear what occurred during the ARD committee meeting. The deliberations page for each ARD committee meeting is not meant to be a transcript of the meeting. Required Special Factors to Consider Behavior Impeding Learning In the case of the student whose behavior impedes the student’s learning or that of others, the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee must consider: • The use of positive behavioral interventions and supports; and • Other strategies to address that behavior, including a behavior intervention plan (BIP) (34 CFR §300.324(a)(2)(i)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 6 of 10 In order to determine what strategies are best for each student, an ARD committee may consider a functional behavior assessment (FBA). If an ARD committee determines a change of placement is necessary due to the student’s behavior, it must conduct an FBA and implement a BIP. If an FBA was already completed, the ARD committee must review and update the BIP. (34 CFR §300.350(f)) If a BIP is required, as determined by the ARD committee, the BIP is part of the IEP and must be provided to all personnel who work with the student. (TEC §29.005(g)) Student with Limited English Proficiency When a student qualifies as a student with limited English proficiency, or qualifies as an English Language Learner, the ARD committee must consider the language need of the student as such needs relate to the student’s individualized education program (IEP). The ARD committee must include a professional member of the language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC) to serve on the ARD committee of each student with limited English proficiency. (34 CFR §300.324(a)(2)(ii)) It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to provide a student who qualifies for language services and special education services both services as needed in order to provide a free appropriate public education and meet the unique needs of the student. Eligibility for one service does not disqualify the student from other services. (20 U.S.C. §§ 1400-1419; 29 U.S.C. § 794) Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing In the case of the student who is deaf or hard of hearing, the ARD committee must consider: • The student’s opportunities for direct communications with peers and professional personnel in the child's language and communication mode; Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 7 of 10 • The student’s language and communication needs; • The student’s academic level; and • The student’s full range of needs, including opportunities for direct instruction in the student’s language and communication mode. (34 CFR §300.324(a)(2)(iv). Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired In the case of the student who is blind or visually impaired, after an evaluation of the student’s reading and writing skills, needs, and appropriate reading and writing media (including an evaluation of the child's future needs for instruction in Braille or the use of Braille), the ARD committee must either: • Provide for reading and writing instruction in Braille and the use of Braille; or • Determine that instruction in Braille or the use of Braille is not appropriate. (34 CFR §300.324(a)(2)(iii)). Before placing a student with a visual impairment in a classroom setting, or within a reasonable period of time after placement, the ARD Committee must provide the training specified in Texas Education Code Subsection 30.002(c)(4). The IEP developed for a student who is visually impaired or functionally blind must comply with the provisions of Texas Education Code Subsections 32.002(c), (e) and (f), as applicable. Students with Autism or Other Pervasive Developmental Disorder It is the policy of the Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to comply with any applicable Commissioner rules that may require an open- enrollment charter school to include in the individualized education program (IEP) of a student with autism or another pervasive developmental disorder any information or requirement determined necessary, including the autism Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 8 of 10 supplement, to ensure the student receives a free appropriate public education (FAPE) as required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.). (TEC §29.005(e)) Assistive Technology The ARD committee must consider whether the student needs assistive technology devices (ATDs) as a part of the student’s special education, related services, or supplementary aids and services. On a case-by-case basis, the use of school-purchased ATDs in the student’s home or in other settings is required if the student’s ARD committee determines that the student needs access to those devices in order to receive free appropriate public education (34 CFR §§300.105; 300.324(a)(2)(v); 20 USC §1414(d)(3)(B)(v)). Assistive technology means any device or equipment used to improve or maintain the function capabilities of a student with a disability. Assistive technology does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted. (34 CFR §§300.5-300.6) Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school may transfer an assistive technology device (ATD) in accordance to TEC, §30.0015. The transfer agreement must include the standards in TEC §30.0015, including the following: 1) The transferor and transferee must represent and agree that the terms of the transfer are based on the fair market value of the ATD, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 2) The informed consent of the parent of the student with a disability, or the adult student, for whom the ATD is being transferred must be obtained before the transfer of an ATD pursuant to TEC, §30.0015. The procedures employed by Westlake Academy in obtaining informed consent shall be consistent with the procedures employed by the school to obtain parental consent under 34 CFR §300.300. Consistent with 34 CFR, §300.505(c), informed parental or adult student consent Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 9 of 10 need not be obtained if the school can demonstrate that it has taken reasonable measures to obtain that consent, and the student's parent or the adult student has failed to respond. To meet the reasonable measures requirement, the school must use procedures consistent with those described in 34 CFR, §300.322(d). 3) If the transfer is a sale, then the sale of the ATD shall be evidenced by a "Uniform Transfer Agreement" (UTA) which includes the following: a. the names of the transferor and the transferee (which may be any individual or entity identified in TEC, §30.0015(b)); b. the date of the transfer; c. a description of the ATD being transferred; d. the terms of the transfer (including the transfer of warranties, to the extent applicable); and e. the signatures of authorized representatives of both transferor and transferee. (19 TAC 89.1056) Students who transfers with an IEP When a student transfers to Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school from another school within Texas, Westlake Academy must provide a free appropriate public education to the student. Westlake Academy must provide comparable services as those described in the IEP the student transferred with until Westlake Academy adopts the student’s IEP from the previous school, or develops, adopts and implements a new IEP. If the student with a disability transfers to from a school outside of Texas, Westlake Academy must provide the student with FAPE, including comparable services, until Westlake Academy conducts an evaluation and develops, adopts, and implements a new IEP. (34 CFR §300.323) A new IEP must be implemented within 30 school days from the date the student is verified as being a student eligible for special education services. If a student transfers from Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school, Westlake Academy will furnish the student’s special education Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 10 of 10 records to the student’s new school not later than 30 calendar days after school student was enrolled. (19 TAC §89.1050) Access to the IEP All educators and personnel working with a student with a disability will have access to the student’s IEP, including all of the relevant parts. It is the responsibility of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school that each person implementing a portion of the IEP is aware of their specific responsibilities. Additionally, personnel must be aware of the accommodations and modifications that must be implemented. (34 C.F.R. §300.323(d); 19 TAC §89.1075) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 3 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS General The parent has the right to obtain an independent educational evaluation (IEE) of the parent’s child if the parent disagrees with the evaluation of the child that was obtained by the open-enrollment charter school. If the parent requests an independent educational evaluation (IEE), the open-enrollment charter school must provide the parent with information about where the parent may obtain an independent educational evaluation and about the open-enrollment charter school’s criteria that apply to independent educational evaluations (IEE). Definitions Independent educational evaluation (IEE) means an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the school responsible for the education of a student. Public expense means that the open-enrollment charter school either pays for the full cost of the evaluation or ensures that the evaluation is otherwise provided at no cost to the parent, consistent with the provisions of Part B of IDEA, which allow each State to use whatever State, local, Federal, and private sources of support are available in the State to meet the requirements of Part B of IDEA. Right to Evaluation at Public Expense The parent has the right to an independent educational evaluation (IEE) of the parent’s child at public expense if the parent disagrees with an Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 3 evaluation of the child obtained by the open-enrollment charter school, subject to the following conditions: (1) if the parent requests an independent educational evaluation of the child at public expense, the open-enrollment charter school must, without unnecessary delay, either: (a) File a due process complaint to request a hearing to show that its evaluation of the child is appropriate; or (b) Provide an independent educational evaluation at public expense, unless the open-enrollment charter school demonstrates in a hearing that the evaluation of the child that the parent obtained did not meet the open-enrollment charter school’s criteria. (2) if the open-enrollment charter school requests a hearing and the final decision is that the open-enrollment charter school’s evaluation of the child is appropriate, the parent still has the right to an independent educational evaluation (IEE), but not at public expense. (3) if the parent requests an independent educational evaluation(IEE) of the child, the open-enrollment charter school may ask why the parent objects to the evaluation of the child obtained by the open-enrollment charter school. However, the open-enrollment charter school may not require an explanation and may not unreasonably delay either providing the independent educational evaluation (IEE) of the child at public expense or filing a due process complaint to request a due process hearing to defend the open-enrollment charter school’s evaluation of the child. The parent is entitled to only one independent educational evaluation (IEE) of the child at public expense each time the open-enrollment charter school conducts an evaluation of the child with which the parent disagrees. Parent-Initiated Evaluations If the parent obtains an independent educational evaluation (IEE) of the child at public expense or the parent shares with the open-enrollment Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 3 charter school an evaluation of the child that the parent obtained at private expense: (1) the open-enrollment charter school must consider the results of the evaluation of the child, if it meets the open-enrollment charter school’s criteria for independent educational evaluations (IEE), in any decision made with respect to the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to the child; and (2) the parent or the open-enrollment charter school may present the evaluation as evidence at a due process hearing regarding the child. Requests for Evaluations by Hearing Officers If a hearing officer requests an independent educational evaluation (IEE) of the child as part of a due process hearing, the cost of the evaluation must be at public expense. Open-Enrollment Charter School Criteria If an independent educational evaluation (IEE) is at public expense, the criteria under which the evaluation is obtained, including the location of the evaluation and the qualifications of the examiner, must be the same as the criteria that the open-enrollment charter school uses when it initiates an evaluation (to the extent those criteria are consistent with the parent’s right to an independent educational evaluation) (IEE). Except for the criteria described above, an open-enrollment charter school may not impose conditions or timelines related to obtaining an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense. (34 CFR 300.502(e)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT It is the policy of the Westlake Academy Open-Enrollment Charter School to ensure that to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities are educated with children who are not disabled, and that special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular education environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY SPECIAL EDUCATION MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to comply with requirements of the system for monitoring special education compliance adopted by Texas Education Agency under Texas Education Code Section 29.010. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY NATIVE LANGUAGE It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to determine on a case-by-case basis the most effective mode of communication with parents who are unable to speak English and to deliver information required by state and federal law in that mode. Procedural safeguards and prior notices required under 20 U.S.C. 1415(a)– (b) must be written in language understandable to the general public. The notice must be provided in the native language of the parent or other mode of communication used by the parent, unless it is clearly not feasible to do so. (20 U.S.C. 1415(a)–(b), (d); 34 CFR 300.503(c); 34 CFR 300.504(c)) If the parent is unable to speak English and Spanish is the parent’s native language, the School shall provide a written or audiotaped reading of the student’s IEP translated into Spanish. If the parent’s native language is other than Spanish or English, the School shall make a good faith effort to provide a written or audiotaped copy of the student’s IEP translated into the parent’s native language. (TEC § 29.005(d); 19 TAC §89.1050(e)) Native language, when used regarding an individual who has limited English proficiency, means the following: 1) the language normally used by that person, or, in the case of a student, the language normally used by the student’s parents; 2) in all direct contact with a student (including evaluation of the student), the language normally used by the student in the home or learning environment. (34 CFR §300.39) If the parent’s native language or other mode of communication is not a written language, the open-enrollment charter school must ensure that: 1) the notice is translated for the parent orally or by other means in the parent’s native language or other mode of communication; 2) the parent understands the content of the notice; and 3) there is written evidence that the requirements in paragraphs 1 and 2 have been met. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY NONEDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY BASED SUPPORT SERVICES The Texas Education Agency shall establish procedures and criteria for the allocation of funds appropriated under TEC §29.013 to open-enrollment charter schools for the provision of noneducational community-based support services to certain students with disabilities and their families so that those students may receive an appropriate free public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment. (TEC §29.013(a)) It is the policy of the Westlake Academy Open Enrollment Charter school to use funds allocated under TEC §29.013 are used only for eligible students with disabilities who would remain or would have to be placed in residential facilities primarily for educational reasons without the provision of noneducational community-based support services. (TEC §29.013(b)) The support services may include in-home family support, respite care, and case management for families with a student who otherwise would have been placed by an open-enrollment charter school in a private residential facility. (TEC §29.013(c)) The provision of services under TEC §29.013 does not supersede or limit the responsibility of other agencies to provide or pay for costs of noneducational community-based support services to enable any student with disabilities to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment. Specifically, services provided under TEC §29.013 may not be used for a student with disabilities who is currently placed or who needs to be placed in a residential facility primarily for noneducational reasons. (TEC §29.013(d)) [NAME OF CHARTER SCHOOL] Westlake Academy County School No.: [County District No.] 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 2 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY OPEN-ENROLLMENT CHARTER EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY It is the policy of Westlake Academy [NAME] open-enrollment charter school to not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender- identity or disability in any of its programs or activities. Westlake Academy[NAME] open-enrollment charter school ensures that its programs and activities, when viewed in their entirety, are readily accessible to individuals with disabilities. Westlake Academy[NAME] open-enrollment charter school selects facilities that do not have the effect of excluding or limiting enrollment or participation of students with disabilities from any school program or activity. Westlake Academy [NAME] open-enrollment charter school complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, including as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. Westlake Academy [NAME] open-enrollment charter school does not deny services to students with disabilities due to lack of funds. Admission Westlake Academy[NAME] open-enrollment charter school ensures that it does not deny admission to a student with a disability solely because of that student’s need for special education or related aids and services, regardless of cost. Westlake Academy[NAME] open-enrollment charter school adopts as policy the provisions under State law ensuring educational opportunities for all students including students with disabilities through its admission practices, enforcement of compulsory attendance, and delivery of services. For admission to the open-enrollment charter school, the applicant must complete and submit an application not later than a reasonable deadline established by Westlake Academy [NAME] open-enrollment charter school. [NAME OF CHARTER SCHOOL] Westlake Academy County School No.: [County District No.] 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 2 Updated April 2016 (TEC §12.117(a)(1)) On receipt of more acceptable applications for admission under TEC §12.117 than available positions in the school, Westlake Academy [NAME] open- enrollment charter school shall fill the available positions by lottery or, with notice, fill the available positions in the order in which applications received before the application deadline were received. (TEC §12.117(a)(2)) If Westlake Academy [NAME] open-enrollment charter school fills the available positions in the order in which applications were received before the deadline, the notice must state the application deadline, and be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the community in which the school is located not later than the seventh day before the application deadline. (TEC §12.117(b)) Further details regarding the application process specifically can be found in the [INSERT NAME OF LOCAL POLICY (i.e. Admissions and Enrollment policy)]Board of Trustees Policies Manual. Admissions information can also be accessed by visiting the Westlake Academy website at http://www.westlakeacademy.org. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 3 UPDATED April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY PRIOR WRITTEN NOTICE Notice in Understandable Language Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must give the parent prior written notice (provide the parent certain information in writing), within a reasonable amount of time before it: 1) proposes to initiate or to change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the student, or the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to the student; or 2) refuses to initiate or to change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the student, or the provision of FAPE to the student. (34 CFR §89.1050(h); TAC §300.503(a)) Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must provide prior written notice regardless of whether the parent agreed to the change or requested the change. (OSEP Letter to Lieberman). The prior written notice must be: 1) written in language understandable to the general public; and 2) provided in the parent’s native language or other mode of communication the parent uses in accordance with the school’s policy on use of parents’ native language, unless it is clearly not feasible to do so. (34 CFR §300.503(c)(1)). 3) if the native language or other mode of communication of the parent is not a written language, the LEA must take steps to ensure that the notice is translated orally of by other mode of communication and that the parent understands the content of the notice. (34 CFR §300.503(c)(2)). 4) a parent may elect to receive prior written notices by an electronic mail communication, if the LEA makes that option available. (34 CFR §300.505). Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 3 UPDATED April 2016 Content of Notice The prior written notice must: 1) describe the action that the open-enrollment charter school proposes or refuses to take; 2) explain why the open-enrollment charter school is proposing or refusing to take the action; 3) describe each evaluation procedure, assessment, record, or report the open-enrollment charter school used in deciding to propose or refuse the action; 4) include a statement that the parent has protections under the procedural safeguards provisions in Part B of IDEA; 5) tell the parent how the parent can obtain a description of the procedural safeguards if the action that the open-enrollment charter school is proposing or refusing is not an initial referral for evaluation; 6) include resources for the parent to contact for help in understanding Part B of IDEA; 7) describe any other options that the child's ARD committee considered and the reasons why those options were rejected; and 8) provide a description of other reasons why the open-enrollment charter school proposed or refused the action. (34 CFR §300.503(b)(1)-(7)). Timeline and Manner The prior written notice must: 1) the LEA must provide the parent with prior written notice at least five school days before the LEA proposes or refuses the action, unless the parent agrees to a shorter timeframe. 2) if a parent submits a written request to the LEA’s director of special education services or to an administrative employee for an initial evaluation, the LEA must, not later than the 15th school day after the date of receipt provide the parent with: Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 3 UPDATED April 2016 3) prior written notice of its proposal to conduct an evaluation, a copy of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards, and an opportunity to give written consent for initial evaluation; or 4) prior written notice of the school’s refusal to conduct an evaluation and a copy of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards. (34 C.F.R. §300.503(a); §300.300(b); §300.505; TAC §89.1050(h)). Notification for Homeless Children or Children in Substitute Care Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school will provide notice to a student’s educational decision-maker and caseworker regarding events that may significantly impact the education of a child, including: 1) requests or referrals for an evaluation under Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794), or special education under Section 29.003 of the Texas Education Code; 2) admission, review, and dismissal committee meetings; 3) manifestation determination reviews required by Section 37.004(b) of the Texas Education Code; 4) any disciplinary actions under Chapter 37 for which parental notice is required; 5) citations issued for Class C misdemeanor offenses on school property or at school-sponsored activities; 6) reports of restraint and seclusion required by Section 37.0021; and 7) use of corporal punishment as provided by Section 37.0011 (TEC 29.007(a)(9)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 NEW Policy April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS Procedural Safeguards Each parent of a student with a disability, or an adult student, must be provided a copy of the procedural safeguards created by the Texas Education Agency. (34 CFR §300.121) Procedural safeguards must be provided when: 1) Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school is initiating special education and related services 2) A change of placement occurs in accordance with 34 CFR §300.350 3) Parent’s file a complaint with the Texas Education Agency; and 4) Upon request by the parent Each year, following the initiation of services, Westlake Academy open- enrollment charter school must provide a copy of the Procedural Safeguards at least once a year. (34 CFR §300.504) A copy of the Procedural Safeguards is available through the Texas Education Agency at http://framework.esc18.net/display/Webforms/LandingPage.aspx Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY PUBLIC EDUCATION INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (PEIMS) “Most of the data TEA requests from school districts and charter schools are gathered using the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS). PEIMS data are used for the Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS), Foundation School Program (FSP), statistical purposes, federal reporting, legislative requests, and audit purposes. Through PEIMS, schools report data including student demographic and academic performance, student attendance, personnel information, financial data, and organizational information.” Texas Open-Enrollment Charter School Handbook (TEA, Division of Charter School Administration, September 2011), available at: http://www.esc11.net/cms/lib3/TX21000259/Centricity/Domain/67/CharterS choolHandbook.pdf. Applicability of Title Relating to the PEIMS An open-enrollment charter school is subject to a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as applicable, imposed by Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, or a rule adopted under Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, relating to the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) to the extent necessary to monitor compliance with Subchapter D (Open-Enrollment Charter School), Chapter 12, Texas Education Code. (TEC §12.104(b)(2)(A)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 7 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS To the extent not stipulated in Westlake Academy Board Policy No. 3.01, the Westlake Academy Charter School adopts as policy the provisions under State and Federal law concerning special education records, as defined including: Electronic Student Records System (TREx) Each open-enrollment charter school shall participate in an electronic student records system that satisfies standards approved by the Commissioner of Education and the Commissioner of Higher Education. (TEC §7.010(b)) Any person involved in the transfer and retrieval of student information under TEC §7.010 is subject to any State or federal law governing the release of or providing access to any confidential information to the same extent as the educational institution from which the data is collected. A person may not release or distribute the data to any other person in a form that contains confidential information. (TEC §7.010(f)) Applicability of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) applies to educational agencies or institutions receiving funds under any program administered by the U.S. Secretary of Education that provide educational services or instruction to students or are authorized to direct and control public elementary, secondary, or postsecondary educational institutions. As a recipient of these funds, the open-enrollment charter school must comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 C.F.R. § 99.1) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 7 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) FERPA is intended to protect the privacy of parents and students. (34 C.F.R. §§ 99.2) Education records are those records that are directly related to a student, and maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a party acting for the agency or institution. (34 C.F.R. § 99.3) FERPA grants parents rights with respect to the education records of their children. (34 C.F.R. § 99.4) FERPA rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students." (34 C.F.R. § 99.5) Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school. (34 C.F.R. § 99.10) The open-enrollment charter school is not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. (34 C.F.R. § 99.11) An open-enrollment charter school may charge a fee for copies. (34 C.F.R. § 99.11) Parents or eligible students have the right to request that the open- enrollment charter school corrects records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. (34 C.F.R. § 99.20) If the open-enrollment charter school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. (34 C.F.R. § 99.21) After the hearing, if the open-enrollment charter school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information. (34 C.F.R. § 99.21(b)(2)) Generally, the open-enrollment charter school must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 7 student's education record. (34 C.F.R. § 99.30) However, FERPA allows the open-enrollment charter school to disclose records, without consent, to certain parties under certain conditions, including: (1) to school officials including teachers within the open-enrollment charter school whom the open-enrollment charter school has determined to have legitimate educational interests (34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(A)); (2) to a contractor, consultant, volunteer, or other party to whom the open-enrollment charter school has outsourced institutional services or functions, subject to the conditions set forth in FERPA regulations (34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)); (3) to officials of another school, school system, or institution of postsecondary education where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student's enrollment or transfer, subject to the conditions set forth in FERPA regulations, (34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)); (4) specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes (34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(3)); (5) appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student (34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(4)); (6) organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the open- enrollment charter school (34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(6)); (7) accrediting organizations (34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(6)); (8) to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena (34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(9)); (9) appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies (34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(10)); and (10) State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law (34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(5)). The open-enrollment charter school must use reasonable methods to ensure that school officials obtain access to only those education records in which they have legitimate educational interests. The open-enrollment charter school that does not use physical or technological access controls must Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 7 ensure that its administrative policy for controlling access to education records is effective and that it remains in compliance with the legitimate educational interest requirement in 34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(A). (34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(1)(ii)) The open-enrollment charter school may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, the open-enrollment charter school must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about the students. Annual Notification of Rights under FERPA The open-enrollment charter school must annually notify parents of students currently in attendance, or eligible students currently in attendance, of their rights under FERPA and its implementing regulations. (34 C.F.R. § 99.7(a)(1)) The notice must inform parents or eligible students that they have the right to: (1) inspect and review the student's education records; (2) seek amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights; (3) consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA and 34 C.F.R. §99.31 authorize disclosure without consent; and (4) file with the Department a complaint under 34 C.F.R. §§99.63 and 99.64 concerning alleged failures by the educational agency or institution to comply with the requirements of FERPA and its implementing regulations. (34 C.F.R. § 99.7(a)(2)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 5 of 7 The notice must include all of the following: (a) the procedure for exercising the right to inspect and review education records; (b) the procedure for requesting amendment of records under 34 C.F.R. §99.20; and (c) if the educational agency or institution has a policy of disclosing education records under 34 C.F.R. §99.31(a)(1), a specification of criteria for determining who constitutes a school official and what constitutes a legitimate educational interest. (34 C.F.R. § 99.7(a)(3)) The open-enrollment charter school may provide this notice by any means that are reasonably likely to inform the parents or eligible students of their rights, including: (1) the open-enrollment charter school must effectively notify parents or eligible students who are disabled; and (2) the open-enrollment charter school must effectively notify parents who have a primary or home language other than English. (34 C.F.R. § 99.7(b)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 6 of 7 Directory Information under FERPA Directory information means information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. (34 C.F.R. § 99.3) Directory information includes, but is not limited to, the student's name, address, telephone listing, electronic mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, grade level, enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate, full-time or part-time), dates of attendance, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, honors and awards received, and the most recent educational agency or institution attended. (34 C.F.R. § 99.3) Directory information does not include a student's— (1) social security number; or (2) student identification (ID) number, except as provided below. (34 C.F.R. § 99.3) Directory information includes a student ID number, user ID, or other unique personal identifier used by the student for purposes of accessing or communicating in electronic systems, but only if the identifier cannot be used to gain access to education records except when used in conjunction with one or more factors that authenticate the user's identity, such as a personal identification number (PIN), password, or other factor known or possessed only by the authorized user. (34 C.F.R. § 99.3) The open-enrollment charter school may disclose directory information if it has given public notice to parents of students in attendance and eligible students in attendance at the open enrollment charter school of: (1) the types of personally identifiable information that the open- enrollment charter school has designated as directory information; Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 7 of 7 (2) a parent's or eligible student's right to refuse to let the open- enrollment charter school designate any or all of those types of information about the student as directory information; and (3) the period of time within which a parent or eligible student has to notify the open-enrollment charter school in writing that he or she does not want any or all of those types of information about the student designated as directory information. (34 C.F.R. § 99.37(a)) The open-enrollment charter school may disclose directory information about former students without complying with the notice and opt out conditions in 34 C.F.R. § 99.37(a). However, the open-enrollment charter school must continue to honor any valid request to opt out of the disclosure of directory information made while a student was in attendance unless the student rescinds the opt out request. (34 C.F.R. § 99.37(b)) A parent or eligible student may not use the right under 34 C.F.R. § 99.37(a)(2) to opt out of directory information disclosures to prevent an educational agency or institution from disclosing or requiring a student to disclose the student's name, identifier, or institutional e-mail address in a class in which the student is enrolled. (34 C.F.R. § 99.37(c)) The open-enrollment charter school may not disclose or confirm directory information without meeting the written consent requirements in 34 C.F.R. §99.30 if a student's social security number or other non-directory information is used alone or combined with other data elements to identify or help identify the student or the student's records. (34 C.F.R. § 99.37(d)) Special Education Eligibility Folder It is the policy of the Westlake Academy Open Enrollment Charter School to maintain an eligibility folder for each child receiving special education services, in addition to the child's cumulative record, that complies with 19 TAC 89.1075(a). Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 3 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY REFERRAL FOR POSSIBLE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES Information Concerning Special Education and Education of Children with Learning Difficulties The Texas Education Agency shall produce and provide to school schools sufficient copies of a comprehensive, easily understood document that explains the process by which an individualized education program is developed for a student in a special education program and the rights and responsibilities of a parent concerning the process. The document must include information a parent needs to effectively participate in an admission, review, and dismissal committee meeting for the parent's child. (TEC §26.0081) The Westlake Academy Open-Enrollment Charter School will provide the document provided by the agency under Section 26.0081, Texas Education Code, or equivalent as determined by the school, to the parent as provided by 20 U.S.C. Section 1415(b): 1. as soon as practicable after a child is referred to determine the child's eligibility for admission into the school's special education program, but at least five school days before the date of the initial meeting of the admission, review, and dismissal committee; and 2. at any other time on reasonable request of the child's parent. (20 U.S.C. § 1415(b)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 3 Referral for Full and Individual Initial Evaluation It is the policy of the Westlake Academy Open-Enrollment Charter School to make referrals of students for a full and individual initial evaluation for possible special education services part of the open-enrollment charter school’s overall general education referral or screening system. Either a parent, TEA, another state agency, or the school may initiate a request for an initial evaluation. Before referral, students experiencing difficulty in the general classroom will be considered for all support services available to all students. If a student continues to experience difficulty in the general classroom after the provision of interventions, school personnel must refer the student for a full and individual initial evaluation. (20 U.S.C. 1414(a)(1); 34 CFR 300.301; 19 TAC 89.1011) A reasonable time before the school proposes or refuses to initiate the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a student or the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to a student, the school shall provide written notice to the student’s parent or guardian. (20 U.S.C. 1415(b)(3); 34 CFR 300.503(a)) The school shall conduct a full and individual initial evaluation before the initial provision of special education and related services. (20 U.S.C. 1414(a)(1)(A)) The screening of a student by a teacher or specialist to determine appropriate instructional strategies for curriculum implementation shall not be considered to be an evaluation for eligibility for special education and related services. (20 U.S.C. 1414(a)(1)(E)) The LEA must promptly request consent for initial evaluation whenever the child is referred for an evaluation for a specific learning disability and if, prior to a referral, the child has not made adequate progress after an appropriate period of time when provided instruction as follows: • Appropriate instruction in regular education settings, delivered by qualified personnel as demonstrated by the data; and Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 3 • With data-based documentation of repeated assessments of achievement at reasonable intervals, reflecting formal assessment of the child's progress during instruction, which was provided to the child's parents. (34 CFR 300.309(c)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY SHARED SERVICES ARRANGEMENTS An open-enrollment charter schools may enter into a written contract to jointly operate their special education programs. The contract must be approved by the Commissioner. Funds to which the cooperating schools/charter schools are entitled may be allocated to the schools/charter schools jointly as shared services arrangement units or shared services arrangement funds in accordance with the shared services arrangement schools/charters' agreement. (TEC §29.007) It is the policy of the Westlake Academy Open Enrollment Charter school to participate in a shared services arrangement for the provision of special education and related services. Information concerning the school’s arrangement can be obtained by contacting the school’s special education coordinator. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 4 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER AND RELATED SERVICE PROVIDER QUALIFICATIONS Special Education Teacher Defined (20 U.S.C. §1401(10) (B) (i)) When used with respect to any public elementary school or secondary school special education teacher teaching in a State, such term means that--(i) the teacher has obtained full State certification as a special education teacher (including certification obtained through alternative routes to certification), or passed the State special education teacher licensing examination, and holds a license to teach in the State as a special education teacher, except that when used with respect to any teacher teaching in a public charter school, the term means that the teacher meets the requirements set forth in the State's public charter school law. Compliance with Federal and State Personnel Standards for Individuals Serving Children with Disabilities It is the policy of Westlake Academy to ensure that personnel standards for all individuals serving children with disabilities are met in accordance with the IDEA and its procedures. Westlake Academy recognizes that both the No Child Left Behind Act and the IDEA provide that charter school teachers must meet the requirements set forth in the State’s public charter school law. 20 U.S.C. §7801(23) (A) (i); 20 U.S.C. §1401(10) (B) (i). In Texas, that means that the charter school special education teacher must be certified and highly qualified. It is the policy of Westlake Academy to make an ongoing good-faith effort to recruit and hire appropriately and adequately certified and/or licensed personnel to provide a wide range of special education and related services to children with disabilities who are eligible for special education services. Special education staffing needs come from the individualized decisions made by the ARD committee. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 4 It is the policy of Westlake Academy to ensure that all personnel necessary to carry out the requirements of the IDEA 2004 are appropriately and adequately certified and/or licensed, prepared and assigned. Westlake Academy uses the following strategies for accessing adequately certified and/or licensed personnel: Strategy Check with an X if applicable Hiring faculty with dual certification and/or licensure X Hiring consultants to provide special education services Hiring retired teachers to work part-time to deliver special education services Developing collaborative agreements with other local educational agencies (LEAs), including with other charter schools to share special education teachers and related service providers Forming partnerships with institutions and/or agencies that employ related services professionals Westlake Academy adopts as policy the provisions under State and Federal law concerning personnel, including: In order to be highly qualified under the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), all open-enrollment charter school teachers must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and must demonstrate competency in the core academic areas in which they teach. Special education charter school teachers must also have appropriate special education teacher certification to be highly qualified under the NCLB. See TEA Guidance for the Implementation of NCLB Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements (Updated March 25, 2008). NCLB does not require that other charter school teachers be fully certified. Rather, charter school teachers must only meet the requirements of the State’s public charter school law, which differ from the requirements for Texas teacher certification. In Texas, State law does not require a teacher employed by an open-enrollment charter school to be certified unless the Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 4 teacher is assigned to teach in special education or bilingual education programs, in which case the appropriate State certification is required. The minimum qualification under State law for a teacher at an open-enrollment charter school, other than a special education or bilingual education teacher, is a high school diploma. However, the governing body of a charter holder may set the qualifications for teachers at a standard above what State law requires. See TEA Guidance for the Implementation of NCLB Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements (Updated March 25, 2008). In order for an open-enrollment charter school teacher in Texas to be considered “highly qualified” under NCLB, the teacher must meet the State certification requirements as they apply to open-enrollment charter schools, as well as the NCLB requirements related to the bachelor’s degree and the demonstration of competency. Open-enrollment charter school teachers have the same options for demonstrating competency as teachers in regular public schools. See TEA Guidance for the Implementation of NCLB Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements (Updated September 1, 2010). Texas Education Code Charter School Certification Requirements No Child Left Behind Charter School Highly Qualified Requirements High School Diploma required for all charter school teachers Certification only required for— Special Education Bilingual Education Bachelor’s degree required for all teachers in core academic subject areas Follow State certification requirements for charter schools Demonstrate competency according to requirements for elementary or secondary teachers, as appropriate Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 4 Teachers employed by Westlake Academy must hold a high school diploma. (TEC §12.129) All special education and related service personnel shall be certified, endorsed, or licensed in the area or areas of assignment in accordance with 34 CFR §300.156; TEC §§21.002, 21.003, and 29.304; or appropriate state agency credentials. (19 T.A.C. §89.1131(a)) Notice of Teacher Qualifications Each open-enrollment charter school shall provide to the parent or guardian of each student enrolled in the school written notice of the qualifications of each teacher employed by the school. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY STATE FUNDING: SPECIAL ALLOTMENTS It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to maintain record of students participating in special programs in accordance with the Commissioner ‘s rules. (19 TAC §129.21) Special Education Allotment Each open-enrollment charter school will receive an annual allotment equal to the adjusted basic allotment multiplied by 1.1 for each student receiving special education and related services in a mainstream instructional arrangement. For each full-time equivalent student receiving special education and related services in average daily attendance in an instructional arrangement other than a mainstream instructional arrangement, the open-enrollment charter school is entitled to an annual allotment equal to the adjusted basic allotment multiplied by a weight determined according to instructional arrangement as set forth in Section 42.151, Texas Education Code. Funds allocated under this section, other than an indirect cost allotment established under State Board of Education rule, must be used in the special education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29. (TEC §42.151) High Cost Risk Pool Funds In accordance with Rider 36, General Appropriations Act, 82nd Texas Legislature, an open-enrollment charter school may apply to the High Cost Fund (HCF) maintained by the Texas Education Agency for an award of funds to assist the school in addressing the needs of high-need children with disabilities when the cost of serving such a child is greater than four time the average per pupil expenditure in the state. The High Cost Fund must not be used to: Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 Updated April 2016 1. limit or condition the right of a student with a disability who is assisted under Part B of the Act to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment pursuant to section 612(a)(5) of the Act; or 2. Support legal fees, court costs, or other costs associated with a cause of action brought on behalf of a student with a disability to ensure FAPE for such student. Compensatory Education Allotment Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must use funds allocated under TEC §42.152(a) for a purpose authorized in TEC §42.152(c) but is not otherwise subject to Subchapter C (Compensatory Education Programs), Chapter 29, Texas Education Code governing compensatory educational programs. (TEC §42.152(c)) Funds allocated under TEC §42.152 shall be used to fund supplemental programs and services designed to eliminate any disparity in performance on assessment instruments administered under Subchapter B (School-Based Health Centers), Chapter 39, Texas Education Code or disparity in the rates of high school completion between students at risk of dropping out of school, as defined by TEC §29.081 (Compensatory, Intensive, and Accelerated Instruction) and all other students. Specifically, the funds, other than an indirect cost allotment established under State Board of Education (SBOE) rule, which may not exceed 45 percent, may be used to meet the costs of providing a compensatory, intensive, or accelerated instruction program under TEC §29.081 or an alternative education program established under TEC §37.008 (Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs) or to support a program eligible under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as provided by Pub. L. No. 103-382 and its subsequent amendments, and by federal regulations implementing that Act, at a campus at which at least 40 percent of the students are educationally disadvantaged. In meeting the costs of providing a compensatory, intensive, or accelerated instruction program under TEC §29.081, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school's compensatory education allotment shall be used for costs Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 3 Updated April 2016 supplementary to the regular education program, such as costs for program and student evaluation, instructional materials and equipment and other supplies required for quality instruction, supplemental staff expenses, salary for teachers of at-risk students, smaller class size, and individualized instruction. (TEC §42.152) Bilingual Education Allotment For each student in average daily attendance in a bilingual education or special language program under Subchapter B, Chapter 29, an open- enrollment charter school is entitled to an annual allotment equal to the adjusted basic allotment multiplied by 0.1. Funds allocated under this section, other than an indirect cost allotment established under State Board of Education rule, must be used in providing bilingual education or special language programs under Subchapter B, Chapter 29, and must be accounted for under existing agency reporting and auditing procedures. An open- enrollment charter school’s bilingual education or special language allocation may only be used for program and student evaluation, instructional materials and equipment, staff development, supplemental staff expenses, salary supplements for teachers, and other supplies required for quality instruction and smaller class size. (TEC §§12.104(b)(2)(G) and 42.153) Career and Technology Education Allotment For each full-time equivalent student in average daily attendance in an approved career and technology education program in grades nine through 12 or in career and technology education programs for students with disabilities in grades seven through 12, an open-enrollment charter school is entitled to: 1) an annual allotment equal to the adjusted basic allotment multiplied by a weight of 1.35; and Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 4 Updated April 2016 2) $50, if the student is enrolled in: a. two or more advanced career and technology education classes for a total of three or more credits; or b. an advanced course as part of a tech-prep program under Subchapter T, Chapter 61. For purposes of this allotment, "full-time equivalent student" means 30 hours of contact a week between a student and career and technology education program personnel. Funds allocated under this section, other than an indirect cost allotment established under State Board of Education rule, must be used in providing career and technology education programs in grades nine through 12 or career and technology education programs for students with disabilities in grades seven through 12 under Sections 29.182, 29.183, and 29.184. (TEC §§12.104(d) and 42.154) Indirect Cost Allotments Beginning with the 2012–13 school year, an open-enrollment charter school may choose to use a greater indirect cost allotment under Education Code 42.151, .153, .154, and .156, to the extent the school receives less funding per weighted student in state and local maintenance and operations revenue than in the 2011–12 school year. The Commissioner will limit the percentage increase in allowable indirect cost to no more than the percentage decrease in state and local maintenance and operations revenue from the 2011-2012 school year. (TEC §42.1541; 19 TAC §105.11) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 15 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY STUDENT DISCIPLINE Applicability of Texas Education Code Relating to Discipline Management Practices or Behavior Management Techniques An open-enrollment charter school is subject to a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as applicable, imposed by Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, or a rule adopted under Title 2 (Public Education) of the Texas Education Code, relating to discipline management practices or behavior management techniques under TEC §37.0021 (Use of Confinement, Restraint Seclusion, and Time-Out). (TEC §12.104(b)(2)(J)) Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school adopts the requirements of TEC §37.0021 (Use of Confinement, Restraint Seclusion, and Time-Out) pursuant to TEC §12.104(b)(2)(J). Where “school” or “school district” is used in TEC §37.0021 (Use of Confinement, Restraint Seclusion, and Time- Out), Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school hereby substitutes “open-enrollment charter school” to conform to these requirements. Use of Confinement, Restraint, Seclusion, and Time-Out It is the policy of the State and of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to treat with dignity and respect all students, including students with disabilities who receive special education services under Subchapter A (Special Education Program), Chapter 29, Texas Education Code. A student with a disability who receives special education services under Subchapter A (Special Education Program), Chapter 29, Texas Education Code, may not be confined in a locked box, locked closet, or other specially designed locked space as either a discipline management practice or a behavior management technique. (TEC §37.0021(a)) It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to comply with the procedures adopted in 19 TAC §89.1053 for the use of restraint and time-out by an open-enrollment charter school employee or Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 15 Updated April 2016 volunteer or an independent contractor of an open-enrollment charter school in the case of a student with a disability receiving special education services under Subchapter A (Special Education Program), Chapter 29, Texas Education Code. It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to ensure that children with disabilities (including a child not yet eligible if the school had knowledge prior to the disciplinary conduct that the child was a child with a disability under the IDEA and meets the standards for receiving protection under the IDEA) are disciplined for a violation of the student code of conduct in accordance with the IDEA, including with respect to any disciplinary removal from the current educational placement to an appropriate interim alternative educational setting, another setting, suspension, or expulsion. Under TEC §37.0021: 1) “Emergency” means a situation in which a student’s behavior poses a threat of: a) Imminent, serious physical harm to the student or others; or b) Imminent, serious property destruction 2) "Restraint" means the use of physical force or a mechanical device to significantly restrict the free movement of all or a portion of a student's body. 3) "Seclusion" means a behavior management technique in which a student is confined in a locked box, locked closet, or locked room that: a) is designed solely to seclude a person; and b) contains less than 50 square feet of space. 4) "Time-out" means a behavior management technique in which, to provide a student with an opportunity to regain self-control, the student is separated from other students for a limited period in a setting: a) that is not locked; and b) from which the exit is not physically blocked by furniture, a closed door held shut from the outside, or another inanimate object. (TEC §37.0021(b)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 15 Updated April 2016 Use of Restraint An employee, volunteer, or independent contractor of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school may use restraint only in an emergency as defined above and in the following situations: 1) Restraint must be limited to the use of such reasonable force as is necessary to address the emergency. 2) Restraint shall be discontinued at the point at which the emergency no longer exists. 3) Restraint must be implemented in such a way to protect the health and safety of the student and others. 4) Restraint must not deprive the student of basic human necessity. (19 TAC §89.1053) Restraint does not include physical force or mechanical device which does not significantly restrict the free movement of all or a portion of the student’s body. Restraint that involves significant restriction (as described above) does not include: 1) Physical contact or appropriately prescribed adaptive equipment to promote normative body positioning and/or physical functioning; 2) Limited physical contact with a student to promote safety (e.g. holding hand of student), prevent a potentially harmful action (e.g. running in the street), teach a skill, redirect attention, provide guidance to a location, or provide comfort; 3) Limited physical contact or appropriately prescribed adaptive equipment to prevent a student from engaging in ongoing, repetitive self-injurious behaviors, with the expectation that instruction will be reflected in the IEP as required by 34 CFR §300.324(a)(2)(i) and (c) to promote student learning and reduce and/or prevent the need for ongoing intervention; or 4) Seat belts and other safety equipment used to secure students during transportation. (19 TAC §89.1053) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 15 Updated April 2016 Use of Seclusion An open-enrollment charter school employee or volunteer or an independent contractor of an open-enrollment charter school may not place a student in seclusion. TEC §37.0021(c) does not apply to the use of seclusion in a court- ordered placement, other than a placement in an educational program of an open-enrollment charter school, or in a placement or facility to which the following law, rules, or regulations apply: 1) the Children's Health Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-310, any subsequent amendments to that Act, any regulations adopted under that Act, or any subsequent amendments to those regulations; 2) 40 T.A.C. Sections 720.1001-720.1013; or 3) 25 T.A.C. Section 412.308(e) (TEC §37.0021(c)) Nothing in this policy prevents a student's locked, unattended confinement in an emergency situation while awaiting the arrival of law enforcement personnel if: 1) the student possesses a weapon; and 2) the confinement is necessary to prevent the student from causing bodily harm to the student or another person (TEC §37.0021(f)) Use of Time Out An employee, volunteer, or independent contractor of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school may use time-out in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of this section with the following limitations. 1) Physical force or threat of physical force shall not be used to place a student in time-out. 2) Time-out may only be used in conjunction with an array of positive behavior intervention strategies and techniques and must be Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 5 of 15 Updated April 2016 included in the student's IEP and/or BIP if it is utilized on a recurrent basis to increase or decrease a targeted behavior. 3) Use of time-out shall not be implemented in a fashion that precludes the ability of the student to be involved in and progress in the general curriculum and advance appropriately toward attaining the annual goals specified in the student’s IEP. Data collection for use of time-out must be addressed in the IEP or BIP. (19 TAC §89.1053) Documenting Restraint If Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school uses restraint, Westlake Academy must document and report the use of restraint to the Texas Education Agency, including: 1) On the day restraint is used, the campus administrator or designee must be notified verbally or in writing about the use of restraint 2) Westlake Academy must make a good faith effort to verbally notify the parent on the same day the restraint was used. 3) Written notification of the restraint must be mailed or otherwise provided to the parent within one school day of the use of restraint. 4) A copy of the written notification must be placed in the student’s special education folder in a timely manner and made available to the ARD committee so the ARD committee can consider the impact of the student’s behavior on the student’s learning and/or creation or revision of a behavior intervention plan (BIP). 5) Written notice must include: a. Name of student b. Name of staff member(s) administering the restraint c. Date of the restraint d. Time the restraint began and ended e. Location of the restraint f. Nature of the restraint g. Description of the activity in which the student was engaged in immediately preceding the use of restraint h. The behavior that prompted the restraint i. The efforts made to deescalate the situation and alternatives to restraint that were attempted; and j. Information documenting parent contact and notification (19 TAC §89.1053(k)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 6 of 15 Updated April 2016 Student Code of Conduct The governing body of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school shall adopt a code of conduct for its school or for each campus. In addition to establishing standards for behavior, the code of conduct shall outline generally the types of prohibited behaviors and their possible consequences. The code of conduct shall also outline the school's due process procedures with respect to expulsion. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a final decision of the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school with respect to actions taken under the code of conduct may not be appealed. (TEC §12.131(a)) A copy of Westlake Academy’s student code of conduct can be found on the school website www.westlakeacademy.org. Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school may not elect to expel a student for a reason that is not authorized by TEC §37.007 (Expulsion for Serious Offenses) or specified in the school's code of conduct as conduct that may result in expulsion. (TEC §12.131(b)) In accordance with 20 U.S.C. §7151, a local educational agency, including an open-enrollment charter school, shall expel a student who brings a firearm, as defined by 18 U.S.C. Section 921, to school. The student must be expelled from the student's regular campus for a period of at least one year, except that: 1) the superintendent or other chief administrative officer of the local educational agency, as defined by 20 U. S.C. Section 7801, may modify the length of the expulsion in the case of an individual student; 2) the local educational agency shall provide educational services to an expelled student in a disciplinary alternative education program as provided by Section 37.008 if the student is younger than 10 years of age on the date of expulsion; and Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 7 of 15 Updated April 2016 3) the local educational agency may provide educational services to an expelled student who is 10 years of age or older in a disciplinary alternative education program as provided in TEC §37.008 (Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs). (TEC §37.007(e)) Subject to TEC §37.007(e), notwithstanding any other provision of TEC §37.007, a student who is younger than 10 years of age may not be expelled for engaging in conduct described by TEC §37.007. (TEC §37.007(h)) Notwithstanding any other provision, TEC §37.002 (Removal by Teacher) and its provisions, wherever referenced, are not applicable to an open- enrollment charter school unless the governing body of the school so determines. (TEC §12.131(c)) Authority of School Personnel to Remove Students with Disabilities Removal of a student with a disability will be determined on a case-by-case basis. School personnel may consider any unique circumstances on a case- by-case basis when determining whether a change in placement, consistent with the other requirements of the IDEA, is appropriate for a student with a disability who violates the student code of conduct. (34 CFR §300.530) The placement of a student with a disability who receives special education services may only be by an ARD committee. Any disciplinary action that would result in a change of placement can only be enforced after the student’s ARD committee conducts a manifestation determination review (MDR). Any removals must be in accordance with the IDEA and its regulations requiring: 1) functional behavior assessments 2) positive behavior interventions, strategies, and supports 3) behavior intervention plans; and 4) manifestation determination review Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 8 of 15 Updated April 2016 A student with a disability who receives special education services may not be removed or placed in an alternative setting solely for education purposes. (TEC § 37.004) Removal for Fewer than 10 days School personnel may remove the student with a disability who violates the code of conduct from his or her current placement to an appropriate interim alternative educational setting (IAES), another setting, or suspension, for not more than 10 consecutive school days to the extent those alternatives are applied to students without disabilities. School personnel may remove the student with a disability who violates the code of conduct from his or her current placement for additional removals of not more than 10 consecutive school days in that same school year for separate incidents of misconduct as long as those removals do not constitute a change of placement. (34 CFR §300.530) Removal for More than 10 days School personnel may apply the relevant disciplinary procedures to students with disabilities in the same manner and for the same duration as the procedures that would be applied to students without disabilities, if: • In the manifestation determination review (MDR), the behavior that gave rise to the violation of the code of conduct is determined not to be a manifestation of the student’s disability; • Services during periods of removal are provided to the student; and • Notification of a change of placement is given to the student’s parents. School personnel must provide the parents of the student removed to a disciplinary alternative education program with written notice of the school's obligation to provide the student with an opportunity to complete coursework required for graduation that: Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 9 of 15 Updated April 2016 • Includes information regarding all methods available for completing the coursework; and • States that the methods available for completing the coursework are available at no cost to the student; (34 CFR §300.530; 20 USC §1415(k)(1)) Change in placement for removal When a student with a disability is removed from the current education placement, it is considered a change in placement if: 1) The removal is more than 10 consecutive school days; or 2) The child has been subjected to a series of removals that constitute a pattern:  Because the series of removals total more than 10 school days in a school year;  Because the student’s behavior is substantially similar to the student’s behavior in previous incidents that resulted in the series of removals; and  Because of such additional factors as the length of each removal, the total amount of time the student has been removed, and the proximity of the removals to one another. Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school will determine on a case- by-case basis whether a pattern of removals constitutes a change of placement. (34 CFR §300.536) Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) If a student with a disability is removed and the removal results in a change of placement, within 10 school days of any decision to change the placement of a student with a disability because of a violation of the student code of conduct, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must hold an Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 10 of 15 Updated April 2016 ARD committee meeting to review all relevant information in the student’s file, including the student’s IEP, any teacher observations, and any relevant information provided by the parents to determine— 1) If the conduct in question was caused by, or had a direct and substantial relationship to, the student’s disability; or 2) If the conduct in question was the direct result of the LEA’s failure to implement the IEP. The conduct must be determined to be a manifestation of the student’s disability if the ARD Committee determines that either condition (1) or (2) is met. If the ARD Committee determines that the behavior was a manifestation of the student’s disability, the ARD Committee must: 1) Conduct a functional behavioral assessment, unless the ARD Committee had conducted a functional behavioral assessment before the behavior that resulted in the change of placement occurred, and implemented a behavioral intervention plan for the student; or 2) If a behavioral intervention plan was already developed, review the behavioral intervention plan, and modify it, as necessary, to address the behavior; and The student must then be returned to the last agreed upon placement, unless the ARD Committee agrees on a change of placement as part of a modification to the IEP or behavior intervention plan. (34 CFR §300.350(f)) If the ARD Committee determines that condition (2) is met and the IEP was not implemented, Westlake Academy must take immediate steps to remedy those deficiencies. (34 CFR §300.530(e)) Services during Removal If a student is removed from the student’s current placement for more than 10 days, but it is not a manifestation of the student’s disability or a special Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 11 of 15 Updated April 2016 circumstance, or if the removal constitutes a change of placement Westlake Academy must: 1) provide educational services, as provided in § 300.101(a), so as to enable the student to continue to participate in the general education curriculum, although in another setting, and to progress toward meeting the goals set out in the student’s IEP; and 2) Receive, as appropriate, a functional behavioral assessment, and behavioral intervention services and modifications that are designed to address the behavior violation so that it does not recur. Services can be provided at an interim alternative educational setting. Westlake Academy is only required to provide services during periods of removal to a student with a disability who has been removed from his or her current placement for 10 school days or less in that school year, if it provides services to a child without disabilities who is similarly removed. After a student with a disability has been removed from his or her current placement for 10 school days in the same school year, if the current removal is for not more than 10 consecutive school days and is not a change of placement under § 300.536, school personnel, in consultation with at least one of the student’s teachers, determine the extent to which services are needed, as provided in § 300.101(a), so as to enable the child to continue to participate in the general education curriculum, although in another setting, and to progress toward meeting the goals set out in the student’s IEP. (34 CFR §300.530(d)) Special Circumstances Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school may remove a student to an interim alternative educational setting for not more than 45 school days without regard to whether the behavior is determined to be a manifestation of the student’s disability, if the student— Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 12 of 15 Updated April 2016 (1) Carries a weapon to or possesses a weapon at school, on school premises, or to or at a school function under the jurisdiction of an SEA or an LEA; (2) Knowingly possesses or uses illegal drugs, or sells or solicits the sale of a controlled substance, while at school, on school premises, or at a school function under the jurisdiction of an SEA or an LEA; or (3) Has inflicted serious bodily injury upon another person while at school, on school premises, or at a school function under the jurisdiction of an SEA or an LEA (34 CFR §300.530) Removal of students not determined to have a disability A student who has not been determined to be eligible for special education and related services under this part and who has engaged in behavior that violated the student code of conduct, may assert any of the protections provided for in this part if the Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school had knowledge the student was a student with a disability before the behavior that precipitated the disciplinary action occurred. Westlake Academy will be considered to have knowledge if before the behavior that precipitated the disciplinary action occurred— 1) The parent of the student expressed concern in writing to supervisory or administrative personnel of the Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school, or a teacher of the child, that the child is in need of special education and related services; 2) The parent of the student requested an evaluation of the student pursuant to §§ 300.300 through 300.311; or 3) The teacher of the student, or other personnel of Westlake Academy , expressed specific concerns about a pattern of behavior demonstrated by the student directly to the director of special education of Westlake Academy or to other supervisory personnel of the open-enrollment charter school. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 13 of 15 Updated April 2016 Westlake Academy will not be deemed to have knowledge if— 1) The parent of the student did not allow an evaluation of the student pursuant to §§ 300.300 through 300.311; or refused services; or 2) The student was evaluated in accordance with §§ 300.300 through 300.311 and determined not to be a student with a disability. If it is determined that Westlake Academy did not have knowledge, the student may be subjected to disciplinary measures as applied to students without disabilities. If a request for evaluation is made during the time period that the student is subjected to a disciplinary measure, then the evaluation must be expedited. While the evaluation is being completed, the student remains in the educational placement determined by the school administration. (34 CFR §300.534) Placement during an Appeal The parent of a student with a disability who disagrees with an ARD committee’s decision to change placement or removal as defined under §§ 300.530 and 300.531, or disagrees with the manifestation determination under § 300.530(e), or Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter schools believes that maintaining the current placement of the student is substantially likely to result in injury to the student or others, may appeal the decision by requesting a hearing pursuant to §§ 300.507 and 300.508(a) and (b). (34 CFR §300.532) During an appeal, a student must remain in the interim alternative education placement pending the decision or until the end of the 45 days for a special circumstance, unless the parent and Westlake Academy agree otherwise. (34 CFR §300.533) Limitation on General Authority Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 14 of 15 Updated April 2016 A student with a disability may not be disciplined for bullying, harassment, or making hit lists until an admission, review, and dismissal committee meeting has been held to review the conduct. Notice of Disciplinary Action A charter holder shall notify the school or district in which the student resides within three business days of any action expelling or withdrawing a student from the charter school. (TEC §12.131(b)) For purposes of TEC §37.022: 1) "Disciplinary action" means a suspension, expulsion, placement in an alternative education program, or other limitation in enrollment eligibility of a student by a school or school. (TEC §37.022(a)(1)) 2) "District or school" includes an independent school, a home- rule school, a campus or campus program charter holder, or an open-enrollment charter school. (TEC §37.022(a)(2)) If a district or school takes disciplinary action against a student and the student subsequently enrolls in another district or school before the expiration of the period of disciplinary action, the governing body of the district or school taking the disciplinary action shall provide to the district or school in which the student enrolls, at the same time other records of the student are provided, a copy of the order of disciplinary action. (TEC §37.022(b)) Subject to TEC §37.007(e), the district or school in which the student enrolls may continue the disciplinary action under the terms of the order or may allow the student to attend regular classes without completing the period of disciplinary action. (TEC §37.022(c)) Referral to Law Enforcement Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 15 of 15 Updated April 2016 Nothing in this section prohibits Westlake Academy from reporting a crime committed by a student with a disability to appropriate authorities or prevents State law enforcement and judicial authorities from exercising their responsibilities with regard to the application of Federal and State law to crimes committed by a child with a disability. If Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school reports a crime committed by a student with a disability, Westlake Academy must ensure that copies of the special education and disciplinary records of the student are transmitted for consideration by the appropriate authorities to who Westlake Academy reports the crime. Westlake Academy may transmit copies of the student’s special education and disciplinary records only to the extent that the transmission is permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. (34 CFR §300.535) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: March 4, 2013 Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2012. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY TEACHER REQUESTED REVIEW Teacher-Requested Review of Individual Education Program In addition to the statewide plan for the delivery of services to children with disabilities [NAME] Open-Enrollment Charter School will develop process for use by a teacher who instructs a student with a disability in a regular classroom setting that: (1) requests a review of the student's individualized education program (IEP); (2) provides for a timely response to the teacher's request; and (3) provides for notification to the student's parent or legal guardian of that response. (TEC §29.001(11)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 8 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY TESTING – STUDENT ASSESSMENT Administering Assessments It is the policy of the Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to administer assessment instruments adopted under Subchapter B, Chapter 39 Texas Education Code in accordance with the requirements of that subchapter and rules adopted thereunder. It is the policy of the Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to comply with all procedures published by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in its annual test administration manuals with regard to test security and confidentiality. Procedures can be found in the Test Security Supplement at the following link: http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/security/ The chief executive of the school shall be responsible for ensuring that:  Procedures are developed to ensure the security and confidentiality of state assessments in compliance with all requirements established by TEA.  District and campus testing personnel are trained in test security and confidentiality, as well as test administration procedures, in accordance with TEA’s published requirements.  Any violation of the state’s security or confidentiality procedures is reported to TEA in accordance with established procedures. TEA’s Test Security Supplement shall serve as the “best practices” document to guide the school in the implementation of this policy. Schoolwide Assessments The ARD committee for each student who receives special education and related services must determine what accommodations are needed on school assessments. A statement of accommodations must be included in the IEP. Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 8 Updated April 2016 (19 TAC §89.1055) For students that cannot participate in a regular assessment, even with accommodations, TEA will develop alternate assessments and guidelines for students with disabilities who participate in statewide alternate assessments. If the ARD committee determines that the student will take an alternative schoolwide assessment, the ARD committee must note in the IEP: 1) Why the child cannot participate in the regular assessment; and 2) Why the alternate assessment is appropriate for the student. (19 TAC §89.105534 CFR §300.320(b)(6)) State Assessments End of Course Assessment All secondary-level campuses must administer End of Course Assessments in Algebra I, biology, English I, English II, and United States history. The Algebra I end-of-course assessment instrument must be administered with the aid of technology. The English I and English II end-of-course assessment instruments must each assess essential knowledge and skills in both reading and writing in the same assessment instrument and must provide a single score. (TEC §39.023) If a student fails to receive a satisfactory score on the end of course assessment, the student may retake the assessment. The student does not have to retake a course in order to retake an end-of-course assessment. Westlake Academy must provide each student who fails to perform satisfactorily on an end-of-course assessment with accelerated instruction in the subject area assessed. (TEC §39.025) If a student fails the Algebra I or English II assessments receives a proficient score on the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) diagnostic assessment for the corresponding subject for which the student failed to perform satisfactorily Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 8 Updated April 2016 on the end of course assessment, the TSI will satisfy the Algebra I or English II requirement. This subsection expires September 1, 2017. (TEC §39.025) For students with a disability that qualify for special education and related services, the student's admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee must determine whether any allowable modification is necessary in administering to the student an end of course assessment. Additionally, the ARD committee of a student in a special education program must determine whether the student is required to achieve satisfactory performance on end of course assessment instruments to receive a high school diploma. (19 TAC §89.1055; TEC §39.023) Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, all Grades 9-12 students with significant cognitive disabilities who are assessed with an alternate assessment as specified in the student's IEP will be assessed using alternate versions of end-of-course (EOC) assessments as listed in §101.3011(b)(2) of the Texas Administrative Code. For the 2011-2012 through 2013-2014 school years, a student who is receiving special education services and who is first enrolled in Grade 9 or below in the 2011-2012 school year shall be administered an alternative version of an EOC assessment instrument upon completion of the corresponding course as required by the student's IEP. Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, a student who is receiving special education services whose IEP does not specify the administration of an alternate assessment and who is first enrolled in Grade 9 or below in the 2011-2012 school year shall be administered an EOC assessment instrument upon completion of the corresponding course as required by the student's IEP. (19 TAC §101.3023) Assessments for Third – Eighth Grade All students must be assessed in: 1) mathematics, in grades three and five without the aid of technology and in grade eight with the aid of technology on any assessment instrument that includes algebra; 2) reading, in grades three, five, and eight; Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 8 Updated April 2016 3) writing, including spelling and grammar, in grades four and seven; 4) social studies, in grade eight; and 5) science, in grades five and eight. (TEC §39.023(a)) Except as required by federal law, a student is not required to be assessed in a subject otherwise assessed if the student: 1) is enrolled in a course in the subject intended for students above the student's grade level and will be administered an assessment adopted or developed under Subsection 39.023(a) of the Texas Education Code that aligns with the curriculum for the course in which the student is enrolled; or 2) is enrolled in a course in the subject for which the student will receive high school academic credit and will be administered an end-of-course assessment instrument adopted under Subsection 39.023(c) of the Texas Education Code for the course. (TEC §39.023) A student with dyslexia that is not exempt may have accommodations, if appropriate, including oral examinations, additional time, the materials or technology necessary for the student to demonstrate the student's mastery of the competencies the assessments are designed to measure. (TEC §39.027) For students receiving special education and related services, the ARD committee must provide a statement of any accommodations necessary for the student to measure the academic achievement of the student on a state assessment. (19 TAC §89.1055; TEC §39.023) Reading Assessments In kindergarten, first, and second grade, Westlake Academy open- enrollment charter school will administer a reading assessment. If a student does not perform satisfactorily on the 6th grade reading assessment Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 5 of 8 Updated April 2016 administered under section 39.023 of the Texas Education Code, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school will administer a reading assessment adopted by the commissioner to that student in 7th grade. Westlake Academy must notify the parent or guardian of each student in kindergarten or first or second grade who is determined, on the basis of reading instrument results, to be at risk for dyslexia or other reading difficulties. The ARD committee of a student who receives special education and related services and who did not perform satisfactorily on a reading instrument under this section shall determine the manner in which the student will participate in an accelerated reading instruction program under this subsection. (TEC §28.006) Alternative Assessment If a student is unable to take a regular assessment, and must take an alternative assessment, as determined by the student’s ARD committee, the ARD committee must note in the IEP: 1) Why the child cannot participate in the regular assessment; and 2) Why the alternate assessment is appropriate for the student (19 TAC §89.1055; 34 CFR §300.320) Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must inform the student’s parent if a student will be taking the alternate state assessment. (34 CFR §300.160(e) and 200.1(f)(1)(iv)) Accelerated and Intensive Instruction Accelerated Instruction Each time a student fails to perform satisfactorily on an assessment instrument in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth grade, Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 6 of 8 Updated April 2016 Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school in which the student attends must provide accelerated instruction to the student in the applicable subject area. Accelerated instruction may require participation of the student before or after normal school hours and may include participation at times of the year outside normal school operations. In addition to providing accelerated instruction, Westlake Academy must notify the parent or guardian that the student failed to perform satisfactorily on the assessment, the accelerated instruction program to which the student is assigned; and the possibility that the student might be retained at the same grade level for the next school year. The ARD committee of a student who receives special education and related services and who did not perform satisfactorily on an assessment must determine the manner in which the student will participate in an accelerated instruction program under this section; and whether the student will be promoted or retained under this section. Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must provide students required to attend accelerated programs under this section with transportation to those programs if the programs occur outside of regular school hours. (TEC §28.0211) Intensive Instruction Westlake Academy must offer an intensive program of instruction to students who do not perform satisfactorily on an assessment or is not likely to receive a high school diploma before the fifth school year following a student’s enrollment in ninth grade. For students receiving special education and related services that do not perform satisfactorily on an assessment, the ARD committee must design a program that enables the student to attain a standard of annual growth on Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 7 of 8 Updated April 2016 the basis of the student’s IEP and carry out the purpose of Section 28.0211 of the Texas Education Code. (TEC §28.0213) Annual Assessment of English Language Proficiency In kindergarten through 12th grade, an English language learner (ELL), as defined by the Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 29, Subchapter B, as a student of limited English proficiency, must take the state-identified English language proficiency assessments annually in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. For students that receive special education and related services, the ARD committee along with the language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC) must determine what accommodations are needed. Rarely, the ARD committee and LPAC may determine that is not appropriate for an ELL student who receives special education to participate in an English language proficiency assessment. If the ARD committee and LPAC make this determination, the decision and justification must be documented in the IEP and the student’s permanent record. These decisions will be made on an individual basis. (19 TAC §101.1003) In order to exit from a bilingual education or English as a second language program, the ARD committee and LPAC must determine an appropriate assessment instrument and performance standard requirement for students for whom those tests would be inappropriate as part of the IEP. The decision to exit a student who receives both special education and special language services from the bilingual education or English as a second language program is determined by the ARD committee in conjunction with the LPAC. (19 TAC §89.1225) Students Dismissed from Special Education Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 8 of 8 Updated April 2016 If a student dismissed from a special education program previously achieved satisfactory performance on an alternate EOC assessment while enrolled in a special education program, that student is not required to retake and achieve a satisfactory performance on the general EOC assessment to graduate. If the student's ARD committee determined that the student was not required to achieve satisfactory performance on the EOC assessment to graduate, the student is not required to retake and achieve satisfactory performance on the EOC assessment. A student dismissed from a special education program must achieve satisfactory performance on any remaining EOC assessments that the student is required to take. If the student fails to achieve satisfactory performance on no more than two of the remaining EOC assessments, the student is eligible for IGC review under the TEC, §28.0258, and is subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section. (19 TAC §101.3022(f)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY TRANSFER OF PARENTAL RIGHTS AT AGE OF MAJORITY When a student with a disability turns 18 years of age or whose disabilities of minority have been removed for general purposes under Chapter 31, Family Code, the student has the same right to make educational decisions as a student without a disability, except that the open-enrollment charter school shall provide any notice required by this subchapter or 20 U.S.C. §1415 to both the student and the parents. At the age of 18, all other rights accorded to parents under Subchapter A (Special Education), Chapter 29, Texas Education Code, or 20 U.S.C. §1415 transfer to the student. All rights accorded to parents under this Subchapter A (Special Education), Chapter 29, Texas Education Code, or 20 U.S.C. §1415 transfer to students who are incarcerated in an adult or juvenile, State or local correctional institution. One year prior to the student turning 18, Westlake Academy open- enrollment charter school will inform the student of his/her rights under IDEA that will be transferred to the student upon reaching 18. A statement will be included in the student’s IEP indicating that the student has been informed of his/her rights. In accordance with 34 CFR §300.520, Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school will notify the student and the parents of the transfer of rights. (34 CFR §§300.320 and 300.520; TEC §29.017) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 4 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY TRANSITION SERVICES It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to beginning transition planning when a student turns 14 years old and to implement transition services as part of the student’s IEP beginning at age 16. (TEC §29.0112; 19 TAC §89.1055) Transition Services Transition services are coordinated activities focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of a student with a disability to facilitate the student’s movement from school to post-school activities. Transition services include postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation. The development of a transition plan may include instruction, community services, related services, development of employment skills or life skills. Transition services must be based on the student’s needs, taking into account the student’s preferences and strengths. (34 CFR §300.43) Transition Planning Procedures for transition planning compliance must specify the manner in which a student's admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee must consider, and if appropriate, address the following issues in the student's individualized education program (IEP): 1) appropriate student involvement in the student's transition to life outside the public school system; 2) if the student is younger than 18 years of age, appropriate parental involvement in the student's transition; Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 4 Updated April 2016 3) if the student is at least 18 years of age, appropriate parental involvement in the student's transition, if the parent is invited to participate by the student or the open-enrollment charter school in which the student is enrolled; 4) any postsecondary education options; 5) a functional vocational evaluation; 6) employment goals and objectives; 7) if the student is at least 18 years of age, the availability of age- appropriate instructional environments; 8) independent living goals and objectives; and 9) appropriate circumstances for referring a student or the student's parents to a governmental agency for services. (TEC §29.011)(19 TAC §89.1055(g)) Individual Education Program (IEP) Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school will ensure that beginning not later than the initial IEP to be in effect when a student turns 14 (or younger, if determined appropriate by the ARD committee) updated annually, the student’s IEP shall include: 1) Appropriate, measurable post-secondary goals based on age appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment and, where appropriate, independent living skills; and 2) The transition services, including courses of study, needed to assist the student in reaching these goals If a participating agency other than the open-enrollment charter school fails to provide the transition services described in the IEP, the school shall reconvene the ARD committee to identify alternative strategies to meet the transition objectives. If the ARD committee determines that work placement is an appropriate transition service, such placement must be addressed in the IEP and must Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 4 Updated April 2016 be in accordance with least restrictive environment requirements. The ARD committee must consider and the charter school will supply identified supplementary aids and services necessary to enable the student to participate with other disabled and non-disabled students in the work place. Written notice is required prior to the initiation or change of a work placement. Transition Guide The Texas Education Agency has developed the “Texas Transition and Employment Guide”. The guide provides information about statewide services and programs to assist students with disabilities transitioning to life outside public school. Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school must post the “Texas Transition and Employment Guide” on their website, if the school maintains a website. Westlake Academy must also provide written information, and even assist, a parent in accessing the electronic version of the guide. The transition guide must be provided to the parent at the first ARD committee meeting at which transition is discussed. If the guide was published after the ARD committee already discussed transition services, the guide must be provided at the next ARD meeting. A copy of the guide can also be found on the Texas Education Agency website at: http://tea.texas.gov/Curriculum_and_Instructional_Programs/Special_Educa tion/Parent_and_Family_Resources/Texas_Transition_and_Employment_Gui de/ (TEC §29.0112) Summary of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance It is the policy of Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school to provide the student with a summary of the student’s academic achievement and functional performance upon graduation, which shall include Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 4 of 4 Updated April 2016 recommendations on how to assist the student in meeting the student’s postsecondary goals. (19 TAC §89.1070; 34 CFR §300.305(e)(3)) Westlake Academy County School No.: 220810 Date Adopted by Governing Body/Board: [DATE] Date Revised: [DATE] ©Texas Charter Schools Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1 Updated April 2016 CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Westlake Academy open-enrollment charter school will provide transportation to each student attending the school to the same extent Westlake Academy is required by law to provide transportation to school students. (TEC §12.109) An open-enrollment charter school must provide transportation for a student with a disability if the student’s IEP includes transportation as a related service. Transportation includes travel to and from school and between schools; travel in and around school buildings; and specialized equipment such as special or adapted buses, lifts, and ramps. (34 CFR §300.34(a) and (c)(16)) Page 1 of 2 1 estlake Academy Board of Trustees TYPE OF ACTION Regular Meeting - Consent Westlake Board Meeting Monday, February 06, 2017 TOPIC: Amending the 2017-2018 Academic Calendar STAFF CONTACT: Jennifer Furnish, Student Services Administrator Strategic Alignment Vision, Value, Mission Perspective Curriculum Outcome Objective Academic Excellence Academic Operations PYP / MYP / DP Improve the Efficiences of Operational Systems Strategic Initiative Outside the Scope of Identified Strategic Initiatives Time Line - Start Date: August 18, 2017 Completion Date: June 5, 2018 Funding Amount: NA Status - N/A Source - N/A EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (INCLUDING APPLICABLE ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY) During the 84th legislative session, the House passed a new law in which compliance with the Federal School Program will now be calculated utilizing minutes instead of days. In order to be in compliance with the 75,600 minute requirement, Westlake Academy has made several adjustments to the academic calendar. For the 2017-2018 school year, Westlake Academy was over in the required number of minutes by two days. The Instructional Leadership Team made the decision to give these days back to students, parents, and staff at the end of winter break. Page 1 of 2 2 RECOMMENDATION Staff Recommends approval of calendar. ATTACHMENTS Document – 2017-2018 Calendar UPDATED Resolution WA 17-04 Page 1 of 2 WESTLAKE ACADEMY RESOLUTION 17-04 A RESOLUTION OF THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES AMENDING THE 2017-2018 ACADEMIC CALENDAR. WHEREAS, Westlake Academy ensures compliance with state and federal policy; and WHEREAS, Westlake Academy works to accommodate the needs of all stakeholders in regards to the creation of the academic calendar and continually reflects upon local decisions that impact our greater community; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees finds that the passage of this Resolution is in the best interest of the citizens of Westlake as well as the students, their parents, and faculty of Westlake Academy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTLAKE ACADEMY: SECTION 1: That, all matters stated in the recitals hereinabove are found to be true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety. SECTION 2: That, the Board of Trustees Westlake Academy, hereby approves the above for mentioned 2017-2018 academic calendar as attached hereto in Exhibit A, to begin from this day forward. SECTION 3: If any portion of this resolution shall, for any reason, be declared invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof and the Council hereby determines that it would have adopted this Resolution without the invalid provision. Resolution WA 17-04 Page 2 of 2 SECTION 4: That this resolution shall become effective from and after its date of passage. PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 6th the DAY OF FEBRUARY 2017. ___________________________________ Laura Wheat, President ATTEST: ________________________________ ___________________________________ Kelly Edwards, Board Secretary Thomas E. Brymer, Superintendent APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________________ Janet S. Bubert or L. Stanton Lowry, School Attorney Exhibit A Resolution WA 17-04 Sem. 1 Sem. 2 Total August 2017 1 September 2017 2 October 2017 3 Date Event S M T W Th F Sa S M T W Th F Sa S M T W Th F Sa August 7-9 New Teacher Orientation 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10-16 All Teacher Orientation 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 17: First Day of School 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 September 4: Labor Day (No School) 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29: All Day Parent/Teacher Conferences 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31 October 6: Teacher Professional Day (No School) 9: Columbus Day (No School) November 2017 4 December 2017 5 January 2018 6 November 17: Early Release/Grandparent's Day S M T W Th F Sa S M T W Th F Sa S M T W Th F Sa 20 - 24: Thanksgiving Break (Flex Days for Staff) 1 2 3 4 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 December 15: Secondary Semester Exams 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18: Secondary Semester Exams (Early Release) 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 19: Secondary Semester Exams (Early Release) 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 20: Secondary Semester Exams (Early Release) 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31 January 5: Teacher Professional Day (No School) 31 8: Start of Second Semester 15: Martin Luther King, Jr (No School) February 2018 7 March 2018 8 April 2018 9 February 16: Teachers' Professional Day - (No School) S M T W Th F Sa S M T W Th F Sa S M T W Th F Sa 19: Presidents' Day (No School) 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 March 12-16 Spring Break 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 30: Bad Weather Make-Up Day 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 April 6: All Day Parent/Teacher Conferences 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20: Bad Weather Make-Up Day 25 26 27 28 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 23: Teacher Professional Day (No school) May 28: Memorial Day (No School) May 2018 10 June 2018 11 July 2018 12 29: G7-G11 Exams/PYP Assessment FULL DAY S M T W Th F Sa S M T W Th F Sa S M T W Th F Sa 30-31: G7-G11 Exams/PYP Assessment (Early Relea 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 June 1: Secondary Semester Exams (Early Release) 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1: Last Day of School 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 1: Secondary End of 4th Quarter 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 2: Senior Commencement 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31 4: Teacher Work Day First / Last Day of School Early Release Days Parent/Student Conferences - All Day No School Semester Exams / PYP Assessments - Early Release Professional Day - Student Holiday Senior Commencement Bad weather make up Academic Calendar 2017 - 2018 Westlake Academy Months startDate 8/1/2017 January February March April May June July August September October November December Method for creating a monthly calendar without using arrays Using a August 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat August 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 S M 1 1 2 3 4 5 2 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 6 7 3 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 13 14 4 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 20 21 5 27 28 29 30 31 27 28 6 monthNames startDates August 8/1/2017 September 9/1/2017 October 10/1/2017 November 11/1/2017 December 12/1/2017 January 1/1/2018 February 2/1/2018 March 3/1/2018 April 4/1/2018 May 5/1/2018 June 6/1/2018 July 7/1/2018 August 8/1/2018 September 9/1/2018 October 10/1/2018 November 11/1/2018 December 12/1/2018 January 1/1/2019 February 2/1/2019 March 3/1/2019 April 4/1/2019 May 5/1/2019 Adding additional months: Insert a new row (before the How it Works: This calendar is included to show how the more complex array function works. Note the use of mixed absolute and relative references that enable you to copy the formula down and across. This is basically what the array formula is doing for you. Month Names: This named range (months) is used as the input for the combo box. The Start Date: This named formula (startDate) is the first day of the first month in the yearly calendar, defined by the month and year chosen by the user. June 6/1/2019 July 7/1/2019 August 8/1/2019 September 9/1/2019 ( last month in the list) and arrays 2017 T W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 15 16 17 18 19 22 23 24 25 26 29 30 31 50 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Any Board member may request at a workshop and / or Board meeting, under “Future Agenda Item Requests”, an agenda item for a future Board meeting. The Board member making the request will contact the Superintendent with the requested item and the Superintendent will list it on the agenda. At the meeting, the requesting Board member will explain the item, the need for Board discussion of the item, the item’s relationship to the Board’s strategic priorities, and the amount of estimated staff time necessary to prepare for Board discussion. If the requesting Board member receives a second, the Superintendent will place the item on the Board agenda calendar allowing for adequate time for staff preparation on the agenda item. Board of Trustees Item # 5 – Future Agenda Items Board of Trustees Item # 6 – Adjournment Regular Session