Student Success Programs

Special Programs

English Language Learners

A Home Language Survey (HLS) is required to be on file for every student enrolled at VAVA. VAVA uses the home language survey responses obtained during enrollment to begin the identification process of English language learners. Identified English Language Learners are provided supplemental support through English Language support and instruction by our English Language Learner teacher. VAVA’s English Language Learner teacher will partner with the Learning Coach and general education teachers to meet the student’s needs .


Identification of Homeless Coordinator


Identification of Foster Care Coordinator


Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Compliance Act


Request for Parent/Guardian Interpreter Services or Disability Accommodations

Additionally, if any parent/guardian has a disability or other limitation that would impact their ability to participate fully in their child’s educational planning process, VAVA would be happy to discuss accommodations that may be available to maximize the parent/guardian’s participation.


Procedural Safeguards 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires all educational agencies provide parents of students with disabilities notice containing a full explanation of the procedural safeguards available under the IDEA and U.S. Department of Education regulations.


Annual Public Notice of Special Services and Programs

In accordance with federal and state regulations, VAVA will provide an annual public notice to families informing them of VAVA’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 VAVA’s internal practices to comply with these will be available in the VAVA Special Programs Manuals and Handbooks.


Child Find

VAVA strives to identify, locate, and evaluate all enrolled children who may have disabilities. Disability, as stated in IDEA, includes such conditions as hearing, visual, speech, or language impairment; specific learning disability; emotional disturbance; cognitive disability; other health or physical impairment; autism; and traumatic brain injury. The process of identifying, locating, and evaluating these children is referred to as Child Find.

Parent/Guardian permission and involvement is a vital piece in the process. Once a student has been identified as having a “suspected disability” or identified as having a disability, VAVA will ask the student or the student’s parent/guardian for information about the child such as:

  • How has the suspected disability or identified disability hindered the student’s learning?
  • What has been done, educationally, to intervene and correct the student’s emerging learning deficits?
  • What educational or medical information relative to the suspected disability or identified disability is available to be shared with the school?

This information may also be obtained from the student’s present or former teachers, therapists, doctors, or from other agencies that have information about the student.

All information collected will be held in strict confidence and released to others only with parental permission or as allowed by law. In keeping with this confidence, VAVA will keep a record of all persons who review confidential information. In accordance with state regulations, parents have the right to review their child’s records.

As part of the Child Find process, some services may include a complete evaluation, an individualized education program designed specifically for the child, and a referral to other agencies providing special services.


Consent


Special Education (IEP) or Section 504 Service Plans

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 VAVA. VAVA can only proceed with implementing the student’s IEP (or 504 Service Agreement) 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 VAVA 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 receive 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. VAVA 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, VAVA 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.

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

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that with the non-discrimination notice, the Name or Title, Address, and Phone No. should be included with the published notices.


Section 504 Coordinator


Privacy and Confidentiality

To maintain privacy of students’ special education records, both within its central office and across school systems and databases, VAVA follows protocols consistent with the federal regulations associated with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).


Accommodations


Translation Needs


Special Education Grievances or Disputes


Summary

VAVA recognizes that despite best intentions of all parties, disagreements or miscommunications may arise between the school-based team and VAVA families or students. Should this situation occur, the VAVA special education case manager will initiate an IEP team discussion where the specific details contributing to any educational concern are fully discussed and addressed as the entire team determines would consider most appropriate for the student. Collaboration is a primary focus for this type of meeting. VAVA’s special education team seeks to establish and maintain their families’ confidence by serving their students to maximize their educational success.