MOVING TO PORTER COUNTY
Move In Procedures for Students with Disabilities (based on current state and federal guidelines):
STEP 1: ESTABLISH RESIDENCY
General and special education programs are made available to students who have legal settlement (residency) in a Porter County school corporation. The Porter County School Corporations include the Duneland Schools, the East Porter County School Corporation, MSD of Boone Township, Porter Township Schools, Portage Township Schools, Union Township Schools, and the Valparaiso Community Schools. (Charter schools within Porter County provide their own special education services, and are not served by Porter County Education Services.)
When seeking to attend a Porter County public school, it is essential to start the process in the district where the student resides. Parents should contact the school office where other neighborhood children attend school to receive information on the process of establishing residency. If parents are unsure of how to contact the neighborhood school, they may contact the corporation’s central office.
As establishing residency takes place, parents of students with disabilities should advise the school of the student’s past involvement with special education services. Any current special education records in the possession of the parents should be copied by the school unless those records were developed by Porter County Education Services. PCES special education records are transferrable amongst the member districts listed above.
Step 2: Contact with Porter County Education Services (PCES) by the Corporation
As soon as the corporation’s administration becomes aware that an enrolling student has a current special education plan (Individualized Education Plan–IEP), enrollment information is forwarded to the PCES office. The special education supervisor working with that school corporation will review the enrollment material as well as any special education materials also forwarded. If the parent is not in possession of any current special education records, the PCES special education supervisor will formally request those records. (It is far more expedient for PCES to request special education records than for the corporation to request special education records.) Once special education records have been reviewed, the special education supervisor will verify whether the student’s IEP can be carried out in the student’s neighborhood school. If so, services will begin as soon as the on-site teacher is assigned by the PCES supervisor and the appropriate student schedule is developed. A case conference will be offered to the parent within 10 days of the student’s enrollment. If not, a case conference will be scheduled as quickly as possible, but within 10 days of the student’s enrollment. Placement decisions will be made by the case conference committee.
need to get evaluated?
Preschool Assessment
Developmental Milestones
Areas of Special Education Eligibility
Parent Information Meetings
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.
Parent Resources for IDEA
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
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.
Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504
Section 504 Accommodations Guidance
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Protecting Students with Disabilities (FAQs)
file a complaint with the OCR
OCR regional office Contact Information
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.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA)
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.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Transitioning to the ESSA (FAQs)
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.”
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
Family Policy Compliance Office (FPCO)
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.
OSERS website
OSEP Policy Documents
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
Office for Civil RightsU.S. Department of EducationJohn C. Kluczynski Federal Building230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th FloorChicago, IL 60604 Telephone: 312-730-1560FAX: 312-730-1576; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: ocr.chicago@ed.gov
SAFEGUARDS
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SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT
RESOURCES
ACTIVITIES
YMCA – Find a YMCA in your area
Opportunity Enterprises
Porter County Special Olympics
Porter Township Youth League
- 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
ASK: About Special Kids
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
IN*SOURCE – Indiana resource center for families with special needs
Indiana Disability Rights
Our-Kids – Devoted to raising special kids with special needs
