| Purpose
Occasionally, there are students whose education requirements
and needs are so unique that the regular program and/or special education
programs do not fulfill their needs. Under certain circumstances,
the Board of Directors may place those students in alternative education
programs when such placements will better meet their needs. The purpose
of placing students in alternative education programs for disruptive
youth is to provide them with a sound educational course of study
and counseling designed to modify their disruptive behavior and return
them to regular school.
Scope
Only eligible students who are in attendance in the School
District of Upper Moreland Township may be placed in an alternative
education program. Eligible students are disruptive students who pose
a clear threat to themselves, the safety and welfare of other students
or the schools staff, who create an unsafe school environment or whose
behavior materially interferes with the learning of other students,
or disrupts the overall education process. Under certain circumstances,
social and/or emotional problems resulting from pregnancy may cause
disruptive behavior that warrants placement in an alternative education
program, but pregnancy alone shall not be a basis for placement in
an alternative education program. Placement in an alternative education
program is not punishment.
Examples of disruptive behavior, which may indicate that a student
is in need of placement in an alternative education program, include
the following:
a) disregard for school authority, including persistent violation
of school policy and rules
b) display, possession, or use of controlled substances on school
property and/or during school activities
c) violent or threatening behavior on school property or during school-affiliated
activities
d) possession of a weapon on school property, as defined under 18
Pa. C.S. § 912
e) commission of a criminal act on school property or during school
affiliated activities
f) misconduct that would merit suspension or expulsion under school
policy
g) habitual truancy
Placement Procedures
Unless the seriousness of the situation warrants otherwise,
the following steps will be taken prior to a student being referred
for consideration for placement in an alternative education program:
- A teacher will make notes documenting the problem(s) the student
exhibits that may warrant referral to an alternative education program
and the corrective actions taken. That documentation will be considered
by the administration when determining the appropriateness of placing
the student in an alternative education program.
- In the event that a teacher is unsuccessful in correcting the
problem(s), the teacher shall inform the building administrator
and confer and work with the guidance counselors, school psychologist,
management assistant, and/or social worker to help correct the problem(s).
- If the desired behavior is not achieved, the student should be
referred to the principal and other appropriate personnel. At this
point, if parental involvement has not been previously obtained,
a conference or conferences will be held with the parent(s) or guardian(s)
of the student for the sole purpose of obtaining input and support.
- If the principal is unable to achieve the desired result, further
action that may be considered shall include referral to a psychologist,
counseling, educational evaluation, psychological evaluation, and/or
psychiatric evaluation. Parental consent must be obtained for any
evaluations, and appropriate state and federal laws must be followed
when a student is thought eligible for special education services
or those provided pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act.
- When practicable, the principal shall consult with the parent(s)
or guardian(s) of the student prior to making a referral for a student.
Where appropriate, parental consent shall be sought before the principal
makes his/her referral. A principal may refer a student back to
regular education with a recommendation for modification of the
current program, to an alternative education program either within
or out of the district, for consideration of eligibility for special
education or related services or services under Section 504 of the
rehabilitation Act, home instruction as outlined in policy number
128, and/or expulsion pursuant to district policy.
- The building administration shall consult with central administrative
staff prior to making a recommendation.
- The building principal shall prepare a recommendation for consideration
by the Superintendent or designee.
- In the event that the principal recommends placement in an alternative
program outside the district, the principal will be asked to present
evidence to the Superintendent that all of the district options
as outlined above have been exhausted.
- If the Superintendent concurs with the recommendation of the building
principal, a recommendation will be made to the Board of Directors.
- Students to be assigned to alternative education programs for
disruptive youth must be provided with due process in the form of
an informal hearing with the principal in accord with 22 Pa. Code
§ 12.8 (c). The purpose of the hearing shall be to enable the
student to meet with appropriate school officials and explain the
circumstances surrounding the basis(es) for referral to the program
and, if applicable, to show why the student believes it is not necessary.
The parent(s) or guardian(s) shall be invited to the meeting and
encouraged to discuss ways by which the student can improve his/her
behavior in the future. Notification of the reasons for the referral
shall begiven to the parent(s) or guardian(s) in writing. Sufficient
notice of the time and place of the informal hearing shall be given.
The student shall have the right to question any witness present
at the hearing. The student has the right to speak and produce witnesses
on his/her own behalf.
The informal hearing shall precede placement unless the student’s
presence in a regular classroom poses a danger to persons or property
or provides a disruption of the academic process, in which case immediate
placement in the alternative education program may occur with an informal
hearing to follow as soon as practicable.
Program Requirements
Placements in alternative education programs shall include
the following:
- Students shall be considered for placement only after other established
methods have been used and failed unless the seriousness of a student’s
behavior warrants immediate placement.
- Students will be considered for eligibility in alternative education
programs in accordance with the criteria established in this policy.
- Students eligible for special education services under the IDEA,
20 U.S.C. §1400, et. seq. shall be placed in alternative education
programs only in accordance with 22 Pa. Code § 14.35 (relating
to manifestation determinations and changes in placement) and must
be allowed to make normal academic progress in accordance with the
student’s IEP.
- Participating students must be provided with a course of instruction
that recognizes their special needs and prepares them for successful
return to the regular school curriculum and/or completion of requirements
for graduation. In this regard, students shall be reviewed periodically
to determine their readiness to return to the regular school curriculum.
At a minimum, the review shall occur at the end of each semester
during which a student participates in alternative education program.
Funding
When appropriate, funding for out of district placements
shall be made in accordance with applicable federal and state law.
Funding for out of district placements shall be at the discretion
of the Board of Directors and subject to Board approval at an open,
regularly scheduled meeting. |