PROGRAMS FOR EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS


Rebecca Jackson, Administrative Assistant for Special Programs
Rick McLeod, Assistant Director for Special Programs
Carole Ringer, Secretary

 

Central Administration Office
Mailing Address: 34 Main St., North Vernon, IN 47265

Telephone (812) 346-3043

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Jennings County Special Programs provides students with identified disabil­ities, a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) that meets state stan­dards listed in Indiana's special education rules called "Article 7". Article 7 is based on federal Individuals with Individual Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and federal regulations. Article 7 consists of rules describing how special education and related services are to be determined and provided by Indiana's public schools. Parents may contact the special education office to attain a copy of Article 7 or IDEIA.

 

A student identified with disabilities may receive special education services from the public school from the time the student is 3 until he or she is 22 years of age. School personnel or the parent may refer a student for an ini­tial educational evaluation. Upon completion of the evaluation, a case con­ference committee meets to decide if a student is eligible for special educa­tion services. During the meeting, the committee develops the student's indi­vidualized education plan (IEP) and discusses the need for related services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, transportation, etc.

 

REFERRAL 

A student may be referred for special services by parents, teachers, school personnel, or other agencies. The referral process may be initiated by contacting the building principal. Initial evaluations must have written consent from child’s legal parent or guardian. There is no charge for Special education services provided by the Jennings County School Corporation.

 

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for special services, a student must be listed under one or more of the following disability areas:

  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Language or speech impairment
  • Deaf-blind
  • Emotional disability
  • Deaf or hard of hearing
  • Developmental delay
  • (early childhood)
  • Specific learning disability
  • Cognitive disability
  • Multiple disabilities
  • Orthopedic impairment
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Blind or low vision
  • Other health impairment

 

 

SECTION 504 AND AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

It is the policy of the Jennings County School Corporation not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its educational programs or employment policies as required by the Indiana Civil Rights Act (1.0.22-9-1) I.C.20-8.12, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act of 1973, Title IX (1972 Educational Amendments) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX, Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act should be directed to Kendall Wildey, Administrative Assistant for Curriculum and Instruction, Jennings County Schools, 34 Main St., North Vernon, IN 47265. Telephone 346-4483.

 

SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS IN PRIVATE OR HOME SCHOOLS

Jennings County School Corporation (JCSC) has an obligation to serve special education students enrolled in a private or home school, under the guidelines of Article 7, Indiana’s Special Education Rules. If you have a child in a private or home school and the student may qualify or has qualified for special services, please contact Jennings County Special Programs office at (812) 346-3043 ex.1 for more information. JCSC will conduct evaluations and conferences to review needs and progress of special education students in private or home schools.