Laserfiche WebLink
If a district has reason to believe that, because of a handicap as defined under Section 504, a <br /> student needs either special accommodations or related services in the regular setting in <br /> order to participate in the school program, the district must evaluate the student; if the student is <br /> determined to be handicapped under Section 504, the district must develop and implement a plan <br /> for the delivery of all needed services. Again, these steps must be taken even though the student <br /> is not covered by the IDEA special education provisions and procedures. <br /> What is required for the Section 504 evaluation and placement process is determined by the type <br /> of handicap believed to be present, and the type of services the student may need. The <br /> evaluation must be sufficient to accurately and completely assess the nature and extent of the <br /> handicap, and the recommended services. Evaluations more limited than a full special education <br /> evaluation may be adequate in some circumstances. <br /> The determination of what services are needed must be made by a group of persons <br /> knowledgeable about the student. The group should review the nature of the handicap, how it <br /> affects the student's education, whether specialized services are needed, and if so what those <br /> services are. The decisions about Section 504 eligibility and services must be documented in <br /> the student's file and reviewed periodically. <br /> It should also be noted that, under Section 504, the parent or guardian must be provided with <br /> notice of actions affecting the identification, evaluation, or placement of the student and are <br /> entitledto an impartial hearing if they disagree with district decisions in these areas. For <br /> handicaps covered only by Section 504 and not the IDEA, a Section 504 hearing will have to <br /> be made available. <br /> In summary it is important to keep in mind that some students who have physical or mental <br /> conditions that limit their ability to access and participate in the education program are entitled <br /> to rights (protection) under Section 504 even though they may not fall into IDEA categories <br /> and may not be covered by the law. <br /> It is also important to realize that Section 504 is not an aspect of"special education". Rather, it <br /> is a responsibility of the comprehensive general public education system. As such, building <br /> administrators and superintendents of schools are responsible for its implementation within <br /> districts. Special education administrators are participants but are not ultimately the <br /> responsible LEA administrators. <br /> SEX EDUCATION: PARENTAL NOTIFICATION <br /> Chapter 71, Section 32A of the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts stipulates that <br /> every city, town, regional school district or vocational school district implementing or <br /> maintaining curriculum which primarily involves human sexual education or human sexuality <br /> issues shall adopt a policy ensuring parent/guardian notification. Such policy shall afford <br /> parents or guardians the flexibility to exempt their children from any portion of said curriculum <br /> through written notification to the school principal. No child so exempted shall he penalized <br /> by reason of such exemption. <br /> 41 Eel <br />