Title: AC3-Services To Parentally Placed Private School Students with Disabilities

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.

Description:

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) was reauthorized in December 2004.  The
reauthorization of IDEA contains new requirements regarding Parentally Placed Private School Students with Disabilities.  As a result, the School District is now required to:

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).  (Currently there are 970 eligible parentally placed private school students with disabilities.)  This amount is referenced as the proportionate share.
 
Conduct a thorough and complete child find process of parentally placed private school students.

Set-aside the proportionate share of IDEA funds for provision of services to parentally placed private school
students with disabilities.  The total amount of School District set-aside will be approximately $1,200,000 for each fiscal year 2006 and 2007 and will vary in subsequent years depending upon future enrollment in private schools.

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 meetings occurred on September 27, 2005 and November 29, 2005.)  The purpose of the meaningful consultation is to determine the type and extent of services that the School District will provide.  The School District has final say in determining the services that will be provided.

Provide only those services as outlined in the attached Cooperative Agreement pursuant to a student's Services Plan.  These services will include occupational and physical therapy, speech and language therapy, staff development, and reading and math tutoring.

Maintain the unused portion of the set-aside proportionate share as a separate roll-forward amount for a period of 27 months.

Revise page 76 of the Policies and Procedures for the Provisions of Specially Designed Instruction and Related Services for Exceptional Students to read: "Eligible ESE students will receive services outlined in the Services Plan at the student's private school."

Financial Impact:
Reallocation of $1,250,000 from the $32,960,142 IDEA grant for the 05-06 school year and the proportionate share for the 06-07 IDEA grant to provide services to parentally placed private school students with disabilities, with subsequent set-aside determined by the December 1 child count of private school students.

For Additional Information, contact:
Ann Killets (akillets@palmbeach.k12.fl.us)
Janice S. Cover
Russell Feldman

Attachments (list):
PBSD FORM.pdf
Contract Review Checklist.pdf
General Procedures.doc.pdf
Q&AAC3.doc