Yorktown ISD

 

062904

 

EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

FB

 

(LEGAL)

 

NONDISCRIMINATION

The District shall provide equal opportunities within its jurisdiction. Education Code 1.002

No officer or employee of the District shall, when acting or purporting to act in an official capacity, refuse to permit any student to participate in any school program because of the student's race, religion, color, sex, or national origin. 42 U.S.C. 2000d, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 106.001

TITLE IX

The District shall designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, and shall notify all students of the name, office address, and telephone number of the employees) so designated. The Board shall adopt and publish procedures providing for prompt and equitable resolution of student complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of sex in violation of Title IX. 20 U.S.C. 1681-1686; 34 CFR 106.8

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

 

Sexual harassment of students is discrimination on the basis of sex under Title IX. Franklin v. Gwinnett County Schools, 503 U.S. 60, 112 S.Ct. 1028 (1992) [See also DHC and FNCJ]

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The District may not deny services to any individual eligible to participate in its special education program, but it shall provide individuals with disabilities special educational services as authorized by law. Education Code 1.002(b)

The Texas Education Agency shall produce and provide to school districts a written explanation of the options and requirements for providing assistance to students who have learning difficulties or who need or may need special education. The explanation must state that a parent is entitled at any time to request an evaluation of the parent's child for special education services under Education Code 29.004. Each school year, the District shall provide the written explanation to a parent of each District student by including the explanation in the student handbook or by another means. Education Code 26.0081

SECTION 504

No qualified student with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any District service, program, or activity. Nor shall the District exclude or otherwise deny equal services, programs, or activities to a student because of the known disability of an individual with whom the student is known to have a relationship. 42 U.S.C. 12132; 29 U.S.C. 794; 28 U S. C. 35.130(g), 34 CFR 104.4(a)

A "student with a disability" is one who has, or who has a record of having, or who is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. A student with a disability is "qualified" if he or she is between the ages of three and 21, inclusive. 28 CFR 35.104; 34 CFR 104.3(j)(k)

COORDINATOR

 

The District shall designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its implementing regulations. The Board shall adopt and publish procedures providing for prompt and equitable resolution of student complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in violation of Section 504. 34 CFR 104.7

FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION (FAPE)

 

The District shall provide a free appropriate public education to each qualified student with a disability within the District's jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the student's disability. An appropriate education shall include regular or special education and related services that are designed to meet the individual educational needs of the student as adequately as the needs of students who do not have disabilities are met and that are based on adherence to procedures that satisfy federal requirements for educational setting, evaluation and placement, and procedural safeguards, as set forth below. 34 CFR 104.33

EDUCATIONAL SETTING

To the extent possible, a student with a disability shall be placed in the regular educational environment, unless the District demonstrates that education in the regular environment with the use of supplemental aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily. In providing or arranging for nonacademic and extracurricular services and activities, the District shall ensure that a student with a disability participates with students who do not have disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate to the needs of the student with a disability. 34 CFR 103.34


Note:

See EHBA series for policies regarding the provision of special education to students with disabilities who require special education in order to benefit from a free appropriate public education.


EVALUATION

The District shall conduct an evaluation of any student who, because of a disability, needs or is believed to need special education or related services before taking any action regarding the initial placement of the student in a regular or special education program and before any subsequent significant change in placement. The tests and other evaluation materials shall meet the standards established by 34 CFR 104.35(b). 34 CFR 104.35(a), (b)

PLACEMENT

In interpreting evaluation information and making placement decisions, the District shall:

1.      Draw upon information from a variety of sources, including aptitude and achievement tests, teacher recommendations, physical condition, social or cultural background, and adaptive behavior.

2.      Establish procedures to ensure that such information is documented and carefully considered.

3.      Ensure that placement decisions are made by a group of persons, including those knowledgeable about the student, the meaning of evaluation data, and placement options.

34 CFR 104.35(c)

PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS

The District shall establish procedural safeguards for students and parents with concerns about District actions regarding the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a student with a disability. Those safeguards shall include notice, an opportunity for the student's parent or guardian to examine relevant records, an impartial hearing with the opportunity for participation by the student's parents or guardian and representation by counsel, and a review procedure. 34 CFR 104.36

HOMELESS CHILDREN

The District shall adopt policies and practices to ensure that homeless children are not stigmatized or segregated on the basis of their homeless status. [See EHBD and FDC]

LIAISON

 

The District shall designate an appropriate staff person as a District liaison for homeless children. The District shall inform school personnel, service providers, and advocates working with homeless families of the duties of the liaison. [See FFC]

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001, Secs. 722, 725, part of No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 42 U.S.C. 11432

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

The District may not substantially burden a student's free exercise of religion, unless the burden is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 110.003 [See also DAA and GA]

 

DATE ISSUED: 09/30/2003

 

 

UPDATE 71

 

 

FB (LEGAL)—P