IDEIA Updates for SLPs Serving Children With Disabilities
Parentally Placed In  Nonpublic Schools

In Ohio, Auxiliary and Federal funds are often used to provide speech and language services to children with disabilities who are attending chartered nonpublic schools.  IDEIA 2004 has indicated changes in the responsibilities of the District of Residence (i.e. the public school district in which the student lives) and the District of Attendance (i.e. the public school district in which the nonpublic school that the student attends is located) in the provision of these services.  Ohio’s interpretation of the IDEIA 2004 ruling about services to students with disabilities in nonpublic schools may be found in the document Guidelines For Providing Services to Children With Disabilities Parentally Placed in Ohio Chartered Nonpublic Schools, September 2005, on the Ohio Department of Education website at http://www.ode.state.oh.us/exceptional_children/children_with_disabilities/pdf/SWD_Nonpublic.pdf.

  The following IDEIA changes have been established for SLPS serving children with disabilities parentally placed in nonpublic schools:

 Identification, Evaluation and Services Plans:

·     Under IDEIA 2004, the District of Attendance is responsible for locating, identifying and evaluating all children who are suspected of having a disability within that public school district, including those who are enrolled in a chartered nonpublic school.

·     Each public school district shall consult with nonpublic school representatives and representatives of parents of parentally placed nonpublic school children.

·        It is recommended that the District of Residence offer an IEP for placement in the public school to students who are identified as disabled and attend a chartered nonpublic school. If parents want their student to continue attending the nonpublic school they will refuse this Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and the IEP.  In this case, it is recommended that the the District of Residence should make sure they have documented this on a “Prior Written Notice” (Form PR-01) and indicate “Initiate Placement and FAPE” (Check “Other”).

·        The District of Attendance (whether or not it is the child’s District of Residence) convenes a meeting to write and offer a Services Plan outlining the services that will be offered to the student at the chartered nonpublic school.  This meeting can take place with all team members present, or with a conference call or videoconference.

·        The parent and a non-public representative (i.e. nonpublic principal or teacher) must attend the Services Plan Meeting.  NOTE: Many times the role of the non-public representative is delegated to the SLP at the non-public school.

 Re-Evaluation:

• Every three years the District of Attendance must conduct a re-evaluation to determine if the student in the nonpublic school who has been on a services plan still qualifies for services. The District of Attendance can plan with the Auxiliary team at the child’s nonpublic school to determine who will do the re-evaluation and how it will be done. 

 State Assessment Considerations:

• Non-public students are required to take and pass the Ohio Graduation Test (10^th grade), but are not required to take the Alternate Assessment, if exempted. IDEIA requirements for alternate assessment do not apply to children with disabilities enrolled in nonpublic schools.

• A child parentally placed in a nonpublic school may receive allowable accommodations when taking state assessments or may be excused from the consequences of state assessments if one of the following conditions apply:

Ø      The child has a current services plan, documenting that the child is excused from the consequences of the state assessment.

Ø      The child has a current services plan, documenting that the child will receive allowable accommodations.

Ø      The nonpublic school has developed a written plan documenting that the child is excused from the consequences of the state assessment.  The written plan must meet all of the requirements of State Rule 3301-13-10.

 Dismissals:

      The District of Service, along with the Auxiliary school, should meet to discuss who will do the re-evaluation to determine if the student is eligible or not for services. This planning of the re-evaluation will determine who will do the re-evaluation and what information will be collected.