JCBE/POLICY FILE: 345.5

Approved: 6/29/78

Revised: 10/23/79

EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION

The Jefferson County Board of Education believes all exceptional students may benefit from receiving a free and appropriate public education according to the instructional needs of each student. In compliance with applicable federal and state laws, it shall be policy of the Jefferson County Board of Education to provide all exceptional students, ages three through twenty-one, a free and appropriate education.

Exceptional students are those who, because of certain atypical characteristics, have been identified by professionally qualified personnel as requiring special educational planning and services. Exceptional students shall be identified on the basis of a physical, health or sensory handicap, emotional handicap or behavioral problem or observable exceptionality in mental ability such as mentally gifted or mentally retarded. Some exceptional students may have more than one type of exceptionality.

Students who are determined through professionally administered tests to be exceptional shall be eligible for due process with regard to identification, evaluation and placement procedures. A written individualized educational program shall be developed for each student with special educational needs. Educational placement decisions for each exceptional student shall place the student in the least restrictive environment appropriate to the student's learning needs whenever possible.

Each exceptional student's learning shall be reviewed periodically for evaluation and re-establishment of the educational plan if necessary.

Graduation requirements for exceptional students shall be determined according to the exceptional student's completion of the individual program.

Programs for students with special educational needs shall be provided in rooms which are equal in all physical aspects to the average standards of other rooms for classwork. The facilities in which special educational programs are provided shall maximize the integration of exceptional students into the life of the school and minimize the separation and stigmatization of such students. Students with limited mobility shall have access to those areas of school facilities where they can be educated in the least restrictive setting. Provisions shall be made for equipment and physical adaptations in public school facilities where necessary to comply with appropriate laws.

Transportation or arrangements for transportation of an exceptional student to and from the educational facility and the home of the parents or guardian shall be provided on regular vehicles or, if necessary, specially adapted vehicles. Exceptional students who are physically disabled shall be provided transportation even though they may live within two miles of the school to which they are assigned. When applicable, parents shall be responsible for getting the exceptional students to the vehicle at curbside or driveway. However, parents may provide transportation for their own students to and from the educational facility.

Personnel who may be required to work with exceptional students shall be provided direct in-service training by the appropriate curriculum and instruction staff. Every effort shall be made by agents or employees of the Board to locate students who may be in need of special educational services.