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Private School and Homeschool Services

Students are eligible to access certain special education services provided by Community ISD under the district’s Proportionate Share Plan if they:

  • Live within the boundaries of CISD and attend a non-profit private school within the boundaries of CISD
  • Live outside the boundaries of CISD but attend a non-profit private school within the boundaries of CISD
  • Live within the boundaries of CISD and are currently homeschooled

Note that not all services are offered and are discretionary on a yearly basis.

Frequently Asked Questions
 

What is Proportionate Share?

Proportionate Share is a set of funds set aside specifically to offer private and homeschool students some special education supports through the district. No parentally placed private school child has an individual right to receive some or all of the special education and related services that the child would receive if enrolled in a public school. Parents must apply for the services and outline what was offered in the IEP that they are requesting to receive. The district reviews the requests and determines what services are to be offered for the school year. A service plan meeting is held with services and goals put into place for the school year.

What do you mean by Private School?

A Private School is defined as a private elementary or secondary school, including any preschool, religious school, and institutional day or religious school that:

  • Is a non-profit entity that meets the definition of non-profit in 34 CFR, §77.1; and
  • Provides elementary or secondary education that incorporates an adopted curriculum designed to meet basic educational goals in the areas of reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and citizenship, including scope and sequence of courses, and formal review and documentation of student progress.
What services are currently available through proportionate share?

Students who have an eligibility of a speech impairment can receive direct speech therapy services.

Why can’t students attending for-profit schools receive services?

This Proportionate Share Plan is funded through a federal grant, which sets guidelines on how the funds can be spent.

How are proportionate share federal grant funds calculated?

The average allocation per student eligible to receive Special Education Services in CISD as of the last Friday in October.

What’s the difference between an IEP and an ISP?

An IEP designates the services, supports, and specialized instruction a child with a disability will receive in school. A service plan explains the special education services that CISD will make available to a child. IDEA states that students with disabilities enrolled in public schools must receive individualized services mapped in an IEP in order to provide FAPE. Private school and homeschool students don’t have an individual right to
get the same special education and related services that they receive through enrollment in public school. The service plan is developed by the same people represented in an ARD committee, but will also include a representative of the private school, if possible.

What does the evaluation process look like for private school or home schooled students?

Students do not have to be enrolled within the public school to receive an evaluation through the local school district. If a family or community member suspects that a child has a disability condition that impacts educational functioning, the family should contact the district Child Find clerk. If the child is between the ages of 3-5, they should contact Kelsey Rios; if the child is school-aged, they should contact Edward Huff at the administration building.

Once the the family has reached out to the intake clerk, they will receive a Child Information Packet to outline their child’s development and areas of concern. Once the packet is returned, the Preschool Evaluation Team or the SST at the student’s neighborhood campus will review the information and provide Notice and Consent to evaluate or PWN indicating a refusal to evaluate. The district has the obligation to make a decision regarding an evaluation and respond to the parent within 15 school days of receiving the request for that evaluation. Please note: all initial evaluations for Special Education will be completed within 45 school days of the school district’s receipt of the signed consent and referral packet.

For students that are ages 3-5 (non-school aged), the evaluation can be conducted by the district in which the student lives. For school-aged students attending a private school, the evaluation takes place within the district the private school is located. Note that there may be circumstances where CISD will want to be the team evaluating a student who lives in district but attends a private school within the boundaries of another school district - such as the student may be returning to CISD in the near future, or the district wishes to make their ready, willing and able commitment to serve clear to the family.

After the evaluation is completed, an ARD meeting is held to review the evaluation and an IEP is created for the student. If the student is age 3-5 (non-school aged), they can choose to access special education services in the public school and maintain dual enrollment with the private preschool as well. If the student is school aged, the district proposes the IEP as services they could access if they were to enroll in public school. School aged students cannot be dually enrolled between public and private school. If parents choose to maintain enrollment at the private school, they waive their right to a Free, Appropriate Public Education. School-aged students found eligible for Special Education can access special education services through Proportionate Share. Re-evaluation for special education eligibility must occur every three years to re-establish eligibility.

What if a student is currently attending a private school or homeschool, and they want to return to CISD?

The family should contact Kelsey Rios (972-843-7025) at the administration building. The Child Find clerk will reach out to the home campus to open communication between school and family in order to plan for an ARD and other logistics related to the student’s return.

Notice of Procedural Safeguards: https://www.spedtex.org/resources/notice-procedural-safeguards

Proportionate Share Annual Public meeting:

Date: Thursday, May 16th, 2024
Location: CISD Board Room (Terry Pope Building) 611 N FM 1138 Nevada, TX 75173
Time: 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm 

Questions about Private School or Homeschool services please contact Ed Huff (Special Education Coordinator) at 972-843-6044 or edward.huff@communityisd.org