TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
About This Manual i
Chapter 1 (Chapter/Page Number)
Why Education Matters……………………………………………………. 1-1
100.0 The role of education in the lives of children……………………………. 1-1
101.0 School Experiences of Children in the Child Welfare System …….……. 1-3
102.0 Education as a Priority in the Child Welfare System ……………………. 1-3
103.0 Prevalence of disabilities and education problems among children
in care ……………………………………………………………………. 1-4
104.0 Factors that contribute to success ………………………………………... 1-4
Chapter 2
Establishing a Framework for Effective Collaboration …..………………….. 2-1
200.0 Strengthening ties ………………………………………………………... 2-1
200.1 Laying the foundation for effective collaboration at the local level …….. 2-1
200.2 Collaboration tips for caseworkers ………………………………………. 2-3
201.0 Paying attention to educational needs as soon as a child enters
the system ………………………………………………………………… 2-5
201.1 Obtaining a release for school records from the biological parents ……… 2-5
201.2 Making a preliminary assessment of a child’s educational status ………... 2-6
201.3 Establishing Who Will Play the Lead …………………………………….. 2-7
202.0 Sharing Information ……………………………………………………..... 2-8
202.1 Laws governing confidentiality of child welfare records ……………….... 2-9
202.2 Laws governing the confidentiality of school records …………………..... 2-10
Chapter 3
Strategies to Promote Educational Success …………..…………………………. 3-1
300.0 Introduction ………………………………………………………….….... 3-1
301.0 School Stability and Other Educational Considerations in Making
Placement Decisions …..…………………………………………….…… 3-1
301.1 Impact of School Instability on Children ……………….…...... 3-1
301.2 Steps you can take to avoid changes in schools ………………………….. 3-3
301.3 Legal strategies to keep children in their schools …………..….…..…….. 3-4
301.4 Other educational considerations in making placements …...…….…...... 3-6
302.0 Ensuring Smooth Transitions… ……………………….…….…………… 3-6
303.0 Ensuring daily school success …………………………………....….…… 3-10
303.1 Academics………………………………………………………………… 3-10
303.2 Social-emotional Concerns……………………………………………….. 3-12
303.3 Cultural Issues ……………………………………………………………. 3-15
303.4 Adequate Support for Education at Home………………………………... 3-16
303.5 What to do when you have a concern ………………………….…………. 3-18
303.6 Informing the Courts …………………………………………….……….. 3-20
304.0 Educational Alternatives …………………………………………………. 3-21
304.1 Charter Schools …………………………………………………………... 3-21
304.2 Magnet/Focus/Option Schools ………………………………….………... 3-22
304.3 Open enrollment ……………………………………………….…………. 3-22
304.4 School program or school within a school …………………….…………. 3-22
304.5 Online schools ……………………………………………………………. 3-22
304.6 Facility Schools …………………………………………………………... 3-23
304.7 Home Schooling ………………………………………………………….. 3-24
Chapter 4
Special Education ………………………………………………………….………… 4-1
400.0 Introduction ……………………………………………………….…….... 4-1
401.0 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) …………….………. 4-2
401.1 IDEA eligibility for school aged children ……………………….……….. 4-3
401.2 Services …………………………………………………………….…….. 4-3
401.3 Legal Authority for Decision-making for Children in Care ……….……... 4-4
401.4 The IEP process …………………………………………………….…….. 4-7
401.5 Educational Placements ………………………………………….……….. 4-16
401.6 Dealing with Changes in Placement of Child or Status of Parents for
Students with Disabilities ………………………………….……………... 4-18
401.7 Special Education Procedural Safeguards …………………….………….. 4-20
402.0 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ……………….…………... 4-23
402.1 Eligibility …………………………………………………….………….... 4-23
402.2 Evaluations ………………………………………………….……………. 4-24
402.3 Services and Accommodations …………………………….…………….. 4-24
402.4 Concern about Compliance with Section 504 ……………………………. 4-25
Chapter 5
Discipline and Truancy Issues …………………………………………………….. 5-1
500.0 Introduction ……………………………………………………………… 5-1
501.0 Steps you can take to prevent disciplinary problems ……………………. 5-2
502.0 Disciplinary actions ……………………………………………………… 5-3
502.1 Grounds for disciplinary action ………………………………………….. 5-3
502.2 Extensions of suspensions ……………………………………………….. 5-5
502.3 Rights of students when they are removed from school …………………. 5-5
502.4 Definition of “parent” in general education disciplinary matters ………... 5-6
502.5 Admission of an expelled student to another school …………………….. 5-6
503.0 Implications for school attendance when students are arrested ………….. 5-7
504.0 Educational alternatives for expelled students ………………………….... 5-7
505.0 Truancy …………………………………………………………………... 5-8
505.1 Introduction to Truancy…………………………………………………... 5-8
505.2 Compulsory attendance laws …………………………………………….. 5-8
505.3 Habitually truant students ………………………………………………... 5-8
505.4 When the courts become involved ……………………………………….. 5-9
506.0 Disciplinary issues for children in special education …………………….. 5-9
506.1 Steps to take when a child in special education is suspended
or expelled ……………………………………………………………….. 5-10
506.2 Changes in placement ……………………………………………………. 5-10
506.3 Right to services …………………………………………………………. 5-11
506.4 Due process ………………………………………………………………. 5-11
506.5 Removals for up to 45 school days: weapons, drugs,
dangerous behavior ………………………………………………………. 5-11
506.6 Functional behavioral assessment and behavior intervention plan ………. 5-12
506.7 Manifestation determination ………………………………………...…… 5-13
506.8 When the behavior is not found to be related to child’s disability ……….. 5-13
506.9 Students with disabilities who have not been found eligible for
special education ………………………………………………………...... 5-14
506.10 Appeals of decisions ……………………………………………………... 5-15
506.11 Placement during appeals ……………………………………………….... 5-15
506.12 Insuring that everyone has the right information ………………………… 5-16
Chapter 6
Special Considerations for Very Young Children ………………..…………….. 6-1
600.0 Introduction ………………………………………………………………. 6-1
601.0 What does school readiness encompass? ……………………………….... 6-2
602.0 Enrolling young children in early care and education programs ……….... 6-2
602.1 The elements of good quality care ……………………………………….. 6-2
602.2 Options for gaining access to early care and education programs ……….. 6-3
602.3 Child Care Resource and Referral ……………………………………….. 6-4
603.0 What to do if you suspect a child has a developmental delay ……………. 6-4
603.1 IDEA Part C, Children Birth to Three …………………………………… 6-5
603.2 Preschool Special Education for Children Aged 3 to 5 …………………... 6-9
604.0 Support Early Learning Opportunities at Home ………………………….. 6-10
Chapter 7
Planning for the Future ……………………………………………………………... 7-1
700.0 Introduction ………………………………………………………………. 7-1
701.0 Strategies to help youth in care prepare for the future …………………… 7-2
702.0 Laws you can use to provide support to youth ………………………….... 7-5
702.1 Right to a Public Education ………………………………………………. 7-5
702.2 Chafee Foster Care Independence Act …………………………………… 7-5
703.0 Transition Planning for Youth with Disabilities …………………………. 7-8
703.1 Transition planning under IDEA ………………………………………..... 7-9
703.2 Student involvement in the transition planning process ………………….. 7-10
703.3 Other agencies who may be involved in transition planning ……………... 7-11
703.4 Others who may be involved in transition process ……………………….. 7-14
703.5 Developing the Transition Plan ………………………………………….... 7-15
703.6 Sources of advice in transition planning …………………………………... 7-15
703.7 Supports in places of employment and post secondary education
programs ……………………………………………..……………………. 7-15
See www.nrcoi.org for a link to the Colorado Curriculum and Manual for Caseworkers and Supervisors entitled, Advocating for the Educational Needs of Children in Out-of-Home Care. You will also find information on how to obtain a copy of the video, Speaking Out.