MOVING TO PORTER COUNTY
STEP 1: ESTABLISH RESIDENCY
Step 2: Contact with Porter County Education Services (PCES) by the Corporation
need to get evaluated?
Parent Information Meetings
October 13, 2022
Dear PCES Families,
At this morning’s PCES Board meeting, the Porter County superintendents opened up a discussion on the possible restructuring of services for our special education students. Namely, the discussion considers evolving the current model to one where each school district would employ their own building-based special education teachers and paraprofessionals as early as the 2023-24 school year. Under this model, PCES would continue to provide the shared services of SELF School (Teachers and Paraprofessionals), Speech, M-Team, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Staff, Student Support Coordinators, Behaviorists, DHH, Blind Low Vision, Audiology, Assistive Technology and Career & Technical Education for the 2023-24 school year.
As a valued partner in education, you are welcome to attend a Town Hall Meeting to be held at the Valparaiso High School Cafeteria on November 15, 2022 at 6:00 PM (enter through Door 1 or Door 25) so that the PCES Board may receive input and comments from the public, answer any questions at that time, and provide information to all stakeholders regarding the proposed restructuring plan.
Sincerely,
PCES Administration
**As an Interlocal, Porter County Education Services is comprised of the 7 school districts in Porter County and thus is governed by the 7 school superintendents.
REGULATORY DOCUMENTS
ARTICLE 7
Article 7. 511 IAC 7-32 through 49, commonly referred to “Article 7,” contains Indiana’s special education rules.
Navigating the Course
Navigating the Course: Finding Your Way through Indiana’s Special Education Rules was written to provide an overview and a practical resource to help parents, advocates, school personnel, and students understand the requirements of Indiana’s special education rules, found in Article 7. This document is intended to serve as a companion guide to Article 7 and is not a substitute for Article 7.
Notice of Procedural Safeguards
Indiana Department of Education Notice of Procedural Safeguards and Departamento de Educación de Indiana Aviso de Salvanguardias Procesales outlines the rights a parent of a child who has or may have a disability has under federal and state laws governing special education. A copy of these rights, also known as Procedural Safeguards, must be given to parents once each year and upon initial referral or request for evaluation, the filing of the first complaint or due process hearing during the school year, on the date of any disciplinary action constituting a change of placement, and at a parent’s request.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children. The IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.
Section 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly referred to as Section 504, is a federal civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination on the basis of disability. Section 504 requires public schools provide parents and students with disabilities procedural safeguards that are very similar to the protections afforded to parents under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has the responsibility and authority to enforce Section 504, as well as other laws prohibiting discrimination.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities that are like those provided to individuals on the basis of race, sex, national origin, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, State and local government services, and telecommunications.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
This bipartisan measure reauthorizes the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the federal education law and longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students. The new law builds on key areas of progress in recent years, made possible by the efforts of educators, communities, parents, and students across the country.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when they reach the age of 18 or attend a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are “eligible students.”
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) are offices within the USDOE that provide guidance and resources related to the delivery of special education services.
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
Office for Civil Rights (OCR), USDOE, enforces several federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance from the USDOE. A complaint may be filed by anyone who believes that an educational institution that receives federal financial assistance has discriminated against someone on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.
Chicago Office
SAFEGUARDS
SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT
RESOURCES
ACTIVITIES
- Bambino Buddy-Ball
EDUCATIONAL
CADRE: Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education
IN*SOURCE Workshops – Special Education Trainings for Parents and Professionals
Indiana Department of Education
National Center for Learning Disabilities – The power to hope, to learn, and to succeed
The Learning Connection – Providing data, resources and tools to support student achievement
OTHER
Center of Possibilities – Striving to improve the quality of life for young children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families
Family Voices Indiana – Our mission is to support families who have children and youth with health care needs and/or disabilities through education, outreach and community partnerships.
Indiana Parenting Center
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
Indiana Disability Rights
Our-Kids – Devoted to raising special kids with special needs
