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Request for Parent/Guardian Disability Accommodations

If any parent/guardian has a disability or other limitation that impacts their ability to participate fully in their child’s educational planning process, Idaho Virtual Academy (IDVA) would be happy to discuss accommodations that may be available to maximize their participation. Individuals seeking to discuss these accommodations may contact Amanda Judd at ajudd@k12.com.

To request an interpreter, please contact Alisha Delamarian adelamarian@idahova.org 208.603.0563.

Notification of Language Assistance Services: Any parent who is limited in speaking, writing, or reading English may request the school to provide access to services such as interpreter and/or translated documents. To request services please email Alisha Delamarian at adelamarian@idahova.org. Prompt access to the appropriate services and/or translator will be coordinated.
Asistencia de idioma: Cualquier padre que se limita al hablar, escribir o leer Inglés podrá solicitar a la escuela para proporcionar acceso a servicios tales como intérprete y / o documentos traducidos. Para solicitar los servicios envíe un correo electrónico o llamar al Coordinador de ELL. Se coordinará el pronto acceso a los servicios apropiados y / o al traductor.

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Child Find

IDVA, in cooperation with parents and nonpublic school agencies, engages in Child Find services throughout the school year. Child Find activities are conducted (1) to create public awareness of special education programs, (2) to advise the public that students who qualify for services have the right to a free appropriate public education and confidentiality protections, and (3) to alert community residents that a process exists for identifying and serving children with disabilities from the age of 3 through the semester in which they turn 21 if they are eligible for special education.

Children with disabilities may have difficulty walking, talking, hearing, or learning, or may display behaviors that appear different from other children their age. If you know of a child aged 3–21 who may have needs resulting from disabilities or developmental delays, and who is not enrolled in a school program, please contact Amanda Judd, special education administrator, or the school district office at 208.322.3559.

If you are part of a community agency or civic group that would like more information about educating children with disabilities, or would like pamphlets to distribute to members, please call the school office at 208.322.3559.

If, through Child Find activities, a child is identified as possibly having a disability and in need of special education services, IDVA may seek parent consent to evaluate the child. All such evaluations will be conducted in compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Parents must report that their child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) during the enrollment process. Please contact the Special Education Academic Administrator, Amanda Judd, at ajudd@k12.com to report students who may be in need these specialized educational and/or related services.

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Annual Public Notice of Special Services and Programs

In accordance with federal and state regulations, IDVA will provide an annual public notice to families informing them of IDVA’s Child Find responsibilities, procedures involved in the identification of educational disabilities, and determination of students’ service and support needs.

Families are encouraged to review the following information that describes these regulations. Information regarding IDVA’s internal practices to comply with these will be available in IDVA’s Special Programs Manuals and Handbooks.

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Special Education Consent to Evaluate

IDVA cannot proceed with an evaluation, or with the initial provision of special education and related services, without the written consent of a student’s parents/legal guardians. For additional information related to consent, please refer to the Procedural Safeguards Notice and Special Education Forms. Once written parental/guardian consent is obtained, IDVA will proceed with the evaluation process. If the parent disagrees with the evaluation results, the parent can request an independent education evaluation at public expense.

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Special Education or Service Agreements

Once the evaluation process is completed, a team of qualified school personnel, parents/guardians, and other relevant service providers will hold an evaluation determination meeting to come to agreement on whether the student meets eligibility for one of the disability categories under the Individual with Disabilities Act (IDEA). (Visit the Idaho State Department of Education for information about eligibility criteria.)

If the student is eligible and requires specially designed instruction, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be coordinated; during which the IEP team will review and finalize the proposed details of an appropriate educational program to meet the student’s documented needs.

For students confirmed to present with special education needs, once the IEP team agrees on the IEP and the student’s educational placement, a Prior Written Notice (PWN) will be sent to the parent/guardian for signature. This must be signed and returned to IDVA. IDVA can proceed with implementing the student’s IEP (or 504 Service Agreement) only upon receipt of the signed PWN. Some students are found to present with one or more disability, but do not meet the eligibility criteria outlined under IDEA (special education); however, their disability may still require IDVA to develop a 504 Service Agreement (504 Plan) to outline the special provisions a student may require for adaptations and/or accommodations in school-based instruction, facilities, and/or activities.

Students may be eligible to certain accommodations or services if they have a mental or physical disability that substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program and otherwise qualify under the applicable laws. IDVA will ensure that qualified students with disabilities have equal opportunity to participate in the school program and activities to the maximum extent appropriate for each individual student.

In compliance with applicable state and federal laws, IDVA will provide students with disabilities the necessary educational services and supports they require to access and benefit from their educational program. This is to be done without discrimination or out-of-pocket cost to the student or family for the essential supplementary aids, services, or accommodations determined to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities and to the extent required by the laws.

Learn more about Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Parents/Guardians have the right to revoke consent for services after initial placement. Please note, a revocation of consent removes the student from ALL special services and supports outlined on their IEP or 504 Plan.

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McKinney-Vento

Please read about McKinney Vento [PDF] if a family lives in any of the following situations: a shelter, motel, vehicle, or campground; on the street; in an abandoned building, trailer, or other inadequate accommodation; or doubled up with friends or relatives.

IF YOUR FAMILY LIVES IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS:

Your school-age children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.
In a shelter
In a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation In a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station
Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship
Your school-age children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.

Your eligible children have the right to:

• Receive a free, appropriate public education.
• Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
• Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
• Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference.
• If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your children, then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.
• Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
• Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children’s needs.
  If you believe your children may be eligible, contact the local liaison, Jessica Lecertua at jlecertua@idahova.org, to find out what services and supports may be available. There also may be supports a

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English Language Learner Support

IDVA is committed to supporting English Language Learner students to help them learn English while simultaneously meeting state academic content and student achievement standards. For questions regarding IDVA’s English learner program or to request an interpreter, please contact Alisha Delamarian adelamarian@idahova.org 208.603.0563.

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Special Education Grievances or Dispute Resolution

Dispute Resolution Options
IEP Facilitation—IEP facilitation is a voluntary process that can be used when all parties at an IEP meeting agree the presence of a neutral third party would help facilitate communication and the successful drafting of the student’s IEP. This process is not necessary for most IEP meetings. Rather, it is used most often when the participants sense the issues at the IEP meeting are creating an impasse or acrimonious climate.
Mediation—A voluntary process in which both parties seek to resolve issues with an unbiased, third-party mediator from the Idaho Department of Education. The mediator will write up the details of the agreement the parties reach through the mediation conference, both parties sign the agreement, and the agreement is mandated to be implemented. This process is less time-consuming, stressful, and expensive than a due process hearing (see below).
Formal Due Process
Families are NOT obligated to pursue the above alternatives to due process should they feel their concerns can only be resolved through a formal due process hearing. If a formal complaint against ITCA is submitted to the Idaho Department of Education, the complaint must be written and include a statement that the local education agency (LEA) has violated a requirement under IDEA, Part B; the facts on which the statement is based; and the signature of the person(s) filing the complaint.

Learn more about a formal due process hearing.

Idaho Department of Education
Dispute Resolution
650 West State Street
Boise, ID 83702
https://www.sde.idaho.gov/sped/dispute/index.html
208.332.6800
info@sde.idaho.ogv

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