SELF ASSESSMENT

SECTION I: GENERAL PROVISIONS – Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that it provides publicly funded educational programs and services to students with disabilities in accordance with federal and state regulations?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section I: General Provisions – Standard A

SECTION II: FREE, APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION –

Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district ensure consistently that a free appropriate public education is available to all students with disabilities between the ages of three and 21, including students with disabilities that have been suspended or expelled from school?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section II: Free, Appropriate Public Education – Standard A

SECTION II: FREE, APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION –

Standard B

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that educational programs and related services are provided to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section II: Free, Appropriate Public Education – Standard B

SECTION II: FREE, APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION –

Standard C

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that transfer students with disabilities are provided services without delay and according to an IEP?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section II: Free, Appropriate Public Education – Standard C

SECTION III: PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS – Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district ensure consistently that procedural safeguards are in effect to protect the rights of all students with disabilities between the ages of three and 21?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section III: Procedural Safeguards – Standard A

SECTION IV: LOCATION, REFERRAL AND IDENTIFICATION –

Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that all students with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services, including students with disabilities attending nonpublic schools, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, are located, referred and identified?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section IV: Location, Referral and Identification – Standard A

SECTION IV: LOCATION, REFERRAL AND IDENTIFICATION -

Standard B

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district ensure that the required actions are implemented consistently when a preschool age or school age student is referred for an initial evaluation to determine eligibility for special education programs and services?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section IV: Location, Referral and Identification – Standard B

SECTION V: PROTECTION IN EVALUATION AND EVALUATION

PROCEDURES – Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district ensure consistently that evaluation procedures are technically sound, are neither culturally nor racially discriminatory, and are administered by trained personnel?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section V: Protection in Evaluation and Evaluation Procedures – Standard A

SECTION V: PROTECTION IN EVALUATION AND EVALUATION

PROCEDURES – Standard B

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that students with disabilities receive a comprehensive evaluation?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section V: Protection in Evaluation and Evaluation Procedures – Standard B

SECTION V: PROTECTION IN EVALUATION AND EVALUATION

PROCEDURES –Standard C

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

The district board of education ensures that appropriate evaluation procedures are followed to determine students’ eligibility for special education and related services.

AREAS OF NEED:

While the district consistently works toward completing the evaluation process (determination of eligibility, and if eligible development and implementation of an IEP) with the 90-day time line, review of the districts records indicated that referrals received toward the end of the academic year are frequently not completed within the 90-day time line. (Sec VC6)

IMPROVEMENT PLAN

SECTION V: PROTECTION AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES – Standard C

ACTIVITIES FOR COMPLIANCE OR IMPROVEMENT

PERSON(S)

RESPONSIBLE

Projected timelines

Documentation of Compliance or improvement

DATE COMPLETED

The district will allot funds so that Child Study Team evaluations can be completed during the Summer vacation.

Anticipated Outcome: Referrals will be consistently completed within the 90-day time line.

Dir. of Sp. Ed.

8/30/02

Copy of IDEA budget allotting funds for Summer 2002.

Review of compliance data for all initial referrals between 9/1/01 –8/30/02.

SECTION V: PROTECTION IN EVALUATION AND EVALUATION

PROCEDURES –Standard D

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that appropriate evaluation procedures are followed to determine students’ eligibility for speech-language services?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section V: Protection in Evaluation and Evaluation Procedures – Standard D

SECTION VI: REEVALUATION – Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that students with disabilities are evaluated every three years or sooner if conditions warrant?

AREAS OF NEED:
REEVALUATION TIMELINES

A random review of 12 percent of the districts files indicated that approximately 75 percent of the districts reevaluations are done within the required 3-year time line. (VI 1)

IMPROVEMENT PLAN

SECTION VI: INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM – Standard A

ACTIVITIES FOR COMPLIANCE OR IMPROVEMENT

PERSON(S)

RESPONSIBLE

Projected timelines

Documentation of Compliance or improvement

DATE COMPLETED

A. The district board of education ensures that students with disabilities are evaluated every three years or sooner if conditions warrant.

(VII) District will increase the percentage of re-evaluations from 75 to 100 by the following steps:

Maintain a full staff of CST.
Maintain data management system so that Director can accurately over-see progress throughout year.
Streamline procedures within office of Special Education to facilitate paper flow and increase efficiency.

Anticipated Outcome: All re-evaluations will be completed as per requirements of the N.J. Special Ed. Code.

Dir. Of Special Education

6/30/02

Monthly print-out from Data Management system

SECTION VII: ELIGIBILITY – Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that a student is determined eligible and classified "eligible for special education and related services" or eligible and classified "eligible for speech-language services" at a meeting with the required participants?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section VII: Eligibility – Standard A

SECTION VII: ELIGIBILITY – Standard B

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that students are determined eligible and classified "eligible for special education and related services" when the student has one or more of the disabilities defined in N.J.A.C. 6A: 14-3.5 (c) 1 through 13, the disability adversely affects the student’s educational performance, and the student is in need of special education and related services?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section VII: Eligibility – Standard B

SECTION VII: ELIGIBILITY – Standard C

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that students are determined eligible and classified "eligible for speech language services" when the student has a speech language disorder that adversely affects classroom performance and the student requires only speech-language services.

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section VII: Eligibility – Standard C

SECTION VIII: INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM –

Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that the appropriate team members conduct an IEP meeting to develop, review and if necessary revise the IEP?

AREAS OF NEED:

Participants

At the secondary level the guidance counselor for the student frequently takes the place of a regular teacher at the IEP team meeting. While input from regular education teachers is collected, that input is usually presented by the guidance counselor (VIII 3b).

IMPROVEMENT PLAN

SECTION VIII: INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM – Standard A

ACTIVITIES FOR COMPLIANCE OR IMPROVEMENT

PERSON(S)

RESPONSIBLE

Projected timelines

Documentation of Compliance or improvement

DATE COMPLETED

A. The district board of education ensures that the appropriate team members conduct an IEP meeting to develop, review and if necessary revise the IEP.

VIII3b A Form will be developed to systematically document input from regular education teachers who are unable to attend at the secondary level so that it can be included in the IEP.

All regular education teachers will be notified of IEP/Annual review meetings to facilitate their attendance.

Office procedures will be modified so that a copy of the parents notice of the IEP meeting will be sent to the regular ed teacher(s).

Anticipated Outcome: Teacher input from the regular education will become part of the student’s annual review.

Dir. Of Special Education

11/30/01

Selected Regular Ed. Teachers will be interviewed to ensure that they have received notice of IEP Annual review meetings

SECTION VIII: INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM –

Standard B

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that IEPs are implemented and in effect as required?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section VIII: Individualized Education Program – Standard B

SECTION VIII: INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM –

Standard C

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that IEPs are developed with the appropriate considerations and contain the required statements?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section VIII: Individualized Education Program – Standard C

SECTION VIII: INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM –

Standard D

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that IEPs are reviewed at least annually?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section VIII: Individualized Education Program – Standard D

SECTION IX: LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT- Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that to the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities are educated with students who are not disabled?

AREAS OF NEED:
Least Restrictive Environment-Based on interviews with special educations and regular education teachers, child study team members, administrators and parents and review of IEP documentation, the following area of need was identified:

Continuum of Alternative Placements

* The district does not offer a continuum of placements at all grade levels. IEP teams consider existing programs when determining educational placement for a student with

a disability.

IMPROVEMENT PLAN

SECTION IX: LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT STANDARD A

ACTIVITIES FOR COMPLIANCE OR IMPROVEMENT

PERSON (S)

RESPONSIBLE

Projected timelines

Documentation of Compliance or improvement

DATE COMPLETED

A. The district board of education ensures that to the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities age three to 21 are educated with students who are not disabled.

Case Managers will be given an inservice focus on the continuum of service. In-class programs will be increased in the district for students with disabilities in grades K-4 during the 2001 –2002 academic year. In class programs will be developed in grades 5-8 during the 20002-2003 academic year.

Current in-class program in the H.S. will be expanded to reflect the needs of the students and changes in the graduation requirements.

Currently there are no preschool disabled children in an in-class setting. The district will investigate developing a relationship with a preschool program that allows for inclusion.

Anticipated Outcome: The district’s programs will offer all students a choice of continuum of services

Director of Special Education

6/30/02

Agenda for inservice, sign-in sheets.

Documentation of programs being offered at all grade levels will be maintained. Change in percentage of removal from regular education will be documented

SECTION XI: DISCIPLINE – Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that appropriate disciplinary measures are implemented for all students with disabilities when disciplinary action is required?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section XI: Discipline – Standard A

SECTION X: TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO POST-SCHOOL -

Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that transition service needs are included on IEPs for students with disabilities beginning at age 14 , or younger , if appropriate, and transition services are provided beginning at age 16, or younger, if appropriate?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section X: Transition – Standard A

SECTION X: TRANSITION TO PRESCHOOL- Standard B

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently a smooth transition from an early intervention program to a preschool program for a child with a disability?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section X: Transition – Standard B

SECTION XII: STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT – Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure that students with disabilities participate in Statewide assessments?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section XII: Statewide Assessment – Standard A

SECTION XIII: GRADUATION - Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that students with disabilities have the opportunity to graduate and participate in graduation exercises?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section XIII: Graduation – Standard A

SECTION XIV: PROGRAMS AND SERVICES –Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

The district board of education ensures that programs and services are provided according to state requirements.

AREAS OF NEED:
RESOURCE PROGRAMS

In-class resource room programs are not available in all grade levels. Since these programs are not currently being offered IEP teams frequently do not consider them part of the continuum of placements available.

IMPROVEMENT PLAN

SECTION XIV: PROGRAMS AND SERVICES – Standard A

ACTIVITIES FOR COMPLIANCE OR IMPROVEMENT

PERSON(S)

RESPONSIBLE

Projected timelines

Documentation of Compliance or improvement

DATE COMPLETED

IEP Team members will be inserviced on the continuation of services. An Elementary schedule will be developed that will allow for implementation of in-class programming

Anticipated Outcome: The percentage of student’s with disabilities receiving in-class support services will raise significantly.

Dir. Of Sp. Ed.

6/30/02

Agenda of inservice, Sign in sheet.

Comparisons of 2001 – 2002 academic year with previous years.

SECTION XV: STUDENT RECORDS- Standard A

COMPLIANCE STANDARD:

Does the district board of education ensure consistently that student records are collected, maintained, secured and accessed, and destroyed in accordance with state and federal law and regulation?

The South River Board of Education was found to be compliant in Section XV: Student Records – Standard A