Title: AC5-Standard Agreement to Provide Services to Parentally Placed Private School Students with Disabil

Recommendation:
I recommend that the School Board approve the Standard Cooperative Agreement format and authorize the Superintendent to sign all Cooperative Agreements with private schools that conform to the Standard Cooperative Agreement.  These agreements shall be in effect from July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008, and shall be automatically renewed yearly for up to three years, if both parties agree.

Description:

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 requires that the School District provide services to parentally placed private school students with disabilities. 

Specifically, the IDEA requires that the District:

Divide the total IDEA allocation for the fiscal year by the total number of eligible students attending public and private schools located in Palm Beach County, including McKay Scholarship students.  (There are 904 eligible parentally placed private school students with disabilities.)  This amount is referenced as the proportionate share.

"Set-aside" a proportionate share of the IDEA district allocation to provide services to parentally placed private school students.

Conduct a thorough and complete child find process, including all evaluations or re-evaluations for parentally placed private school students.

Spend proportionate share of IDEA funds for provision of services to parentally placed private school students with disabilities in grades K-12.

Maintain data on the number of identified students evaluated and served.

Participate in meaningful consultation between representatives of all private schools located in Palm Beach County, private school parents, and the school district.  (Meaningful consultation meeting occurred on January 30, 2007.)

Provide services as outlined in the attached Cooperative Agreement pursuant to annual meaningful consultation and students' Services Plans. 

505 eligible parentally placed private school students with disabilities have accessed services this year to date.

Financial Impact:
Reallocation of $903,646 from the $33,548,845 IDEA grant for the 07-08 school year to provide services to parentally placed private school students with disabilities, with subsequent set-asides determined by the child count of private school students.

For Additional Information, contact:
Ann Killets (akillets@palmbeach.k12.fl.us)
Brenda Magee, Ed.D.
Russell Feldman

Attachments (list):
Data Panel.pdf
Cooperative Agreement.pdf
Legal Checklist.pdf
Q&AAC5.doc