The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that the CAIU, as a sub grantee, make provisions for children with disabilities enrolled by their parents in private schools to benefit from special education services. However, there is no individual entitlement to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for these students. The CAIU is required to consult with representatives of private schools to determine which children will receive services, what services will be provided, how and where the services will be provided, and how the services will be evaluated.
The procedures for a private school student to access services from the CAIU are as follows: First, the student must have been identified as eligible under IDEA and offered FAPE by a school district, that is, an offer of special education via an Individualized Education Program (IEP) which would be available if the parent wishes to take advantage of a public school education. Second, if the parent refuses the offer of FAPE, but wishes to enroll, or maintain enrollment of their child at a private school, the student may access services from the CAIU if those services have been determined available through the consultation described above. The list of available services may vary from year to year depending on the results of the annual consultation with representatives of private schools.
Next, if a parent who refuses the offer of FAPE wishes to access services under the IDEA from the CAIU, the private school must submit a Referral Request Form to Central Referral indicating a request for “Equitable Participation” with a copy of the child’s Evaluation Report, IEP and Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP). The “Reason for Referral” should be indicated in the space provided. The CAIU will follow up on the referral, which may result in the development of a Service Plan if the needed services are on the list of available services.
Additional Documents
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Equitable Participation Ref Request Form.pdf
(51.67 KB)
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Description of EP Services.pdf
(15.86 KB)
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Definitions for Child Count.pdf
(26.31 KB)
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