Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, August 21, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Amended Florida Department of Education “Policies and Procedures for the Provision of Specially Designed Instruction and Related Services for Exceptional Students” Document for 2007/2008 (Exceptional Student Education)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We request approval of the amended “2004-2007 Policies and Procedures for the Provision of Specially Designed Instruction and Related Services for Exceptional Students” (SP&P) document to be in effect for the 2007/2008 school year as directed by the Florida Department of Education (DOE).

The three-year cycle for the SP&P document currently in effect in our school district expired at the end of the 2006/2007 school year. Due to anticipated changes resulting from the rule development process, the DOE has determined that a one-year extension of the existing document, with specific amendments to ensure alignment with all federal and state laws, regulations, and rules, is the most effective way to meet all requirements in a timely manner.

The amendments, delineated in the attached revised document authored by DOE, address section 1003.57(1)(d), Florida Statutes, which requires that district school boards submit to the DOE proposed procedures for the provision of special instruction and services for exceptional students once every three years. This document also serves as the basis for the identification, evaluation, eligibility determination, and placement of students in special programs for exceptional students, and is a component of our district’s application for supplemental student funds available under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The attachment contains:

Certification of Approval Page ii
Amendment to 2004-2005 Through 2006-2007 SP&P, Effective 2007-2008 Page 1
Attachment 1 – Part III Procedures for Specific Programs (Deaf or Hard of Hearing)Page 17
Attachment 2 – Part III. Procedures for Specific Programs (Physically Impaired with Orthopedic Impairment) Page 21
Attachment 3 – Part III. Procedures for Specific Programs (Physically Impaired with Other Health Impairment) Page 23
Attachment 4 – Part III. Procedures for Specific Programs (Physically Impaired with Traumatic Brain Injury) Page 25
Attachment 5 – Part III. Procedures for Specific Programs (Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities) Page 27
Attachment 6 – Part III. Procedures for Specific Programs (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Page 31
Attachment 7 – Part V. Appendices (Evaluation Instruments) Page 34

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

Goal 5 - The district will close the FCAT achievement gap by a minimum of 10 percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind.

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

All state and federal funds for Exceptional Student Education are expended to provide services included in the “Policies and Procedures for the Provision of Specially Designed Instruction and Related Services for Exceptional Students” document.

EVALUATION

SUBMITTED BY:

Wynne A. Tye
General Director, Exceptional Student Education
(813) 273-7025
Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction
(813) 272-4221
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Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20070821_264 * Section E Item# 1.04