504 Referral and Evaluation Process

504 STUDENT REFERRAL AND EVALUATION PROCESS

The WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS has designated the SPECIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT as the responsible district entity for student related identification, evaluation and (if necessary) 504 plan development. THE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL SERVICES is the DISTRICT 504 COORDINATOR for students. THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT is the responsible entity for these components as they relate to all employees of the WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE HUMAN SERVICE DIRECTOR is the DISTRICT 504 COORDINATOR of employees.

Each of the WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOL'S twenty-seven (27) community schools have a building based evaluation team which is chaired by the school's principal (at the elementary level) or the special education department head (at the secondary level). It is the responsibility of the Chairperson of the evaluation team (principal or department head) to insure that the following district procedures are adhered to for the identification of a disability which may be adversely impacting upon a student's educational performance.

1. The Chairperson of the evaluation team receives a referral from a parent, individual student, professional or outside agency; notice of such a referral shall be forwarded to the keeper of the "team" log. (The school log is submitted monthly to the Special Services Department for review). The Chairperson must obtain, from the referring source, (a) the suspected nature of disability and (b) the nature of the difficulty being experienced by the student.

2. The Chairperson reviews the data presented and determines (a) the necessity to convene the evaluation team and if needed (b) a recommendation to the evaluation team suggesting either an IDEA referral for evaluation or 504 eligibility determination meeting.

3. If a 504 evaluation team is convened, the team, with the Chairperson and parent present, shall first determine the applicability of the 504 process to the case by reviewing the referral information. (It is possible that the team will determine that (a) the referral data does not support consideration under 504* or (b) a referral for special education evaluation would be appropriate).

4. If the 504 evaluation team determines that the referral data supports a 504 eligibility determination/evaluation then the team shall (a) determine eligibility under 504 including the identification and acquisition of other information that is required to successfully support this determination, (b) determine the accommodations, modifications, special education supports and/or related services necessary to prevent discrimination if any and (c) develop a written 504 accommodation plan which reflects these supports.

5. The plan shall be shared with all appropriate staff that have the responsibility of providing/supporting the accommodations, modifications, special education supports and/or related services in the plan. The principal in every school (elementary/secondary) is responsible to supervise the implementation of the required supports in the plan.

6. The plan shall be recorded by the principal or special education department head with the appropriate guidance counselor for entry into the district data system to insure proper future review and implementation.

7. The plan shall be reviewed in September with the student's current teachers and staff**. The 504 plan will be reviewed each September thereafter. Plans remain in effect until the 504 review team, with the parent's written consent, terminates the 504 plan.

8. A copy of the evaluation team 504 determination document and the student 504 plan is to be forwarded to the Special Services Department upon completion and review.

*Should the chairperson of the evaluation team determine that the provisions of Section 504 are not applicable; the Chairperson will forward a letter to the student's parent/guardian with an explanation for the decision and include a copy of the "parental rights" in that correspondence. A copy of the letter is to be sent to the SPECIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

**The 504 Review Team must include at minimum, the student's parent(s)/guardian, teacher(s), school administrator/designee and, if appropriate, the student.


	The WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS has designated the SPECIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT as the responsible district entity for student related identification, evaluation and (if necessary) 504 plan development. THE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL SERVICES is the DISTRICT 504 COORDINATOR for students. THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT is the responsible entity for these components as they relate to all employees of the WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE HUMAN SERVICE DIRECTOR is the DISTRICT 504 COORDINATOR of employees.
	Each of the WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOL'S twenty-seven (27) community schools have a building based evaluation team which is chaired by the school's principal (at the elementary level) or the special education department head (at the secondary level). It is the responsibility of the Chairperson of the evaluation team (principal or department head) to insure that the following district procedures are adhered to for the identification of a disability which may be adversely impacting upon a student's educational performance.
	1. The Chairperson of the evaluation team receives a referral from a parent, individual student, professional or outside agency; notice of such a referral shall be forwarded to the keeper of the "team" log. (The school log is submitted monthly to the Special Services Department for review). The Chairperson must obtain, from the referring source, (a) the suspected nature of disability and (b) the nature of the difficulty being experienced by the student. 2. The Chairperson reviews the data presented and determines (a) the necessity to convene the evaluation team and if needed (b) a recommendation to the evaluation team suggesting either an IDEA referral for evaluation or 504 eligibility determination meeting. 3. If a 504 evaluation team is convened, the team, with the Chairperson and parent present, shall first determine the applicability of the 504 process to the case by reviewing the referral information. (It is possible that the team will determine that (a) the referral data does not support consideration under 504* or (b) a referral for special education evaluation would be appropriate). 4. If the 504 evaluation team determines that the referral data supports a 504 eligibility determination/evaluation then the team shall (a) determine eligibility under 504 including the identification and acquisition of other information that is required to successfully support this determination, (b) determine the accommodations, modifications, special education supports and/or related services necessary to prevent discrimination if any and (c) develop a written 504 accommodation plan which reflects these supports. 5. The plan shall be shared with all appropriate staff that have the responsibility of providing/supporting the accommodations, modifications, special education supports and/or related services in the plan. The principal in every school (elementary/secondary) is responsible to supervise the implementation of the required supports in the plan. 6. The plan shall be recorded by the principal or special education department head with the appropriate guidance counselor for entry into the district data system to insure proper future review and implementation. 7. The plan shall be reviewed in September with the student's current teachers and staff**. The 504 plan will be reviewed each September thereafter. Plans remain in effect until the 504 review team, with the parent's written consent, terminates the 504 plan. 8. A copy of the evaluation team 504 determination document and the student 504 plan is to be forwarded to the Special Services Department upon completion and review.
	*Should the chairperson of the evaluation team determine that the provisions of Section 504 are not applicable; the Chairperson will forward a letter to the student's parent/guardian with an explanation for the decision and include a copy of the "parental rights" in that correspondence. A copy of the letter is to be sent to the SPECIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
	**The 504 Review Team must include at minimum, the student's parent(s)/guardian, teacher(s), school administrator/designee and, if appropriate, the student.