Source: https://web.alsde.edu/Home/Sections/SectionFAQs.aspx?SectionID=70
Timestamp: 2014-03-09 16:29:44
Document Index: 59380518

Matched Legal Cases: ['§16', '§16', '§16', '§16', '§16', '§16', 'art 1', 'art 2']

ALSDE: Prevention & Support Services - FAQs
How is admission to public schools determined?
Admission to public school shall be on an individual basis on the application of the
parents, legal custodian, or guardian of the child to the local board of education at the
beginning of each school year, under such rules and regulations as the board may
Authority: Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-3
Who is required to attend school?
Every child between the ages of seven and 16 must attend a public school, private
school, church school, or be instructed by a competent private tutor for the entire
length of the school term except that every child attending a church school is exempt
from the requirements of Ala. Code (1975)§16-28-3, provided such child complies
with the enrollment and reporting procedure specified in Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-7 of
What is the minimum age for admission to public schools?
a. A child who is six years of age on or before September 1 (2)* or the date on
which school begins in the enrolling district shall be entitled to admission to the public
elementary schools at the opening of such schools for that school year or as soon as
practicable thereafter.
b. A child who becomes six years old on or before February 1 may, with the
approval of the local board of education, be admitted at the beginning of the second
semester in school systems having semiannual promotions of pupils.
c. A child who is five years of age on or before September 1 (2)* or the date on
which school begins in the enrolling district is entitled to admission to the
kindergarten program at the beginning of the school year or as soon as practicable
d. Kindergarten or Grade 1 students who were enrolled in an Alabama private
school, church school, or were being tutored in accordance with the Ala. Code (1975)
and who seek admission to kindergarten or Grade 1 in the public schools must meet
the age requirements for admittance as of September 1 (2)* or the opening date of
school in the enrolling district.
Authority: Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-4
Report of Attorney General of Alabama
October-December 1963
Volume 113, page 20
What are the requirements for Kindergarten and Grade 1 out-of-state transfers?
a. An underage child who transfers from the first grade of a school in another state
may be admitted, but must have the approval of the local board of education.
b. An underage child who has moved into this state and has completed a mandated
kindergarten program in another state shall be entitled to admission to the public
c. An underage child who transfers to Alabama from the public school kindergarten
in another state may be admitted, but must have prior approval of the local board of
What state regulations relate to required school and absences from state schools?
A. Attendance Required
Children between the ages of seven and 16 years are required to attend a public school,
private school, church school, or be instructed by a competent private tutor for the
entire length of the school term in every scholastic year except that every child
attending a church school as defined by Alabama law (Ala. Code §16-28-1) is exempt
from this requirement, provided such child has met the requirements as specified for
enrollment and reporting.
1. Explanation Required
a. Every parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of any child
required to attend public school, private school, or church school, shall as soon as
practical explain the cause of any absence of the child under his control or charge
which was without permission of the teacher.
b. Failure to furnish such explanation shall be admissible as evidence of such child
being a truant with the consent and connivance of the person in control or charge of
the child, unless such person can show to the reasonable satisfaction of the court that
he had no knowledge of such absence and that he had been diligent in his efforts to
secure the attendance of such child.
Authority: Ala. Code (1975) §16-28-15
2. Excused Absences
b. Death in immediate family.
c. Inclement weather which would be dangerous to the life and health of the child as
determined by the principal.
d. Legal quarantine.
e. Emergency conditions as determined by the principal.
f. Prior permission of the principal upon request of the parent or legal guardian.
3. Unexcused Absences
Any absences not excused shall be considered unexcused.
Can a student be retained in a grade merely because of a certain number of
excused absences?
No. Excused absences (e.g., for illness) imply that the absences will not be counted
unexcused absences?
Yes, assuming the school board has, and carefully complies with, a policy relating
attendance to academic achievement.
Can academic sanctions (grade penalties) be imposed upon a student after a
certain number of excused or unexcused absences?
Yes in the case of unexcused absences and no in the case of excused absences because
the implication is that the school system has agreed to the absence of a child under
Can a student be retained or academic sanctions imposed after the student
exceeds a certain number of excused or unexcused absences if the student is
otherwise academically succeeding in the particular course?
Yes in the case of unexcused absences and no in the case of excused absences. Once
again, the school system must have publicized and faithfully complied with a policy
that equates academic achievement with attendance.
Who is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the strategy (Form C of the
Three-Year LEA At-Risk Plan) when the strategy is directly related to the non-profit,
non-government community agency?
The LEA superintendent is ultimately responsible for the expenditure of funds.
Therefore, the person appointed by the superintendent (i.e., at-risk
contact/coordinator) should oversee the implementation of all agreements
related to the 20% state at-risk funds. If outside agency expenditures are
inappropriate (i.e., food and/or drink purchases, or other), the LEA will be held
Faxing at-risk plan changes or reporting community service agency information after
initial plan submission may create problems. Should the LEA superintendent and/or
custodian of funds receive a copy of the changes submitted by the LEA at-risk
coordinator? How do we assure a "fax" becomes a part of the original plan? Is the
LEA notified? If "fax" information alters budget coding, what should be done?
The SDE staff believes that the LEA’s custodian of funds should receive a
copy of all changes. The superintendent will sign all changes and, therefore,
be informed. The at-risk contact/coordinator should carefully track all
information sent to the SDE by telephone, fax, or e-mail. Notices regarding the
approval of budget go to the LEA from the SDE Administrative and Financial
Services, LEA Accounting Section. A copy of those budget changes is also
received by the SDE's Prevention and Support Services Section. All budget
coding, including changes, should be approved by the school system's
assigned accountant from the SDE, LEA Accounting Section in cooperation
with the local custodian of funds.
Is C.I.T.Y. considered an approved non-profit, non-government community agency
for 20% state at-risk funds?
No. LEAs receive both state foundation and at-risk funding for students
served by C.I.T.Y. programs based on the formula provided in the Alabama
Administrative Code, Chapter 290-2-1-.05, (1)At-Risk Allotment. C.I.T.Y.
programs also receive additional state funding through another state
government agency due to the legal status of the students at-risk they serve.
Additionally, the SDE considers C.I.T.Y. programs as alternative education
If we partner with a non-profit, non-government agency (such as the National
Children's Advocacy Center in Huntsville), what about other "for profit and/or
government" agencies that they (the non-profit, non-government agency) may
partner with? Do we have to show Section 501(c)(3) status for NCAC and each of
the other agencies they partner with, if we utilize their services?
There should be no subcontracts unless there are highly extenuating
circumstances which are discussed with SDE staff prior to expenditure of
funds. However, if the SDE agrees to a subcontract, the subcontract must
meet the same guidelines as the LEA for non-profit and non-govermental
agency. To do otherwise could be construed as a circumvention of the
legislature's intent.
Our local BOE does not actually sign the minutes for a month after they approve the
non-profit, non-government community agencies for the 20% state at-risk funding.
In order to receive the 20% funding as soon as possible, may we send in an
unsigned copy of the minutes with the necessary supporting documents (Section
501(c)(3) status documentation, specific amount of funding received by each
approved agency, and the specific services provided) with a signed letter from the
superintendent stating that the BOE approved the 20% partnership and the LEA will
send the signed minutes the next month?
During FY 2002 we used Eastside Mental Health Center in the Birmingham area and
contracted with their counselors and psychologists using 20% state at-risk funds.
This center would like to continue this partnership. Is Eastside Mental Health Center
considered a government agency?
Possibly. Please ask the center its status as a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit
agency. Additionally, they will need to provide a written statement verifying
their non-governmental status. If the center is able to document their nonprofit,
non-government status, then a LEA may consider partnering with this
specific agency with 20% state at-risk funds, based on prioritized needs
established from the LEA’s current FY 2003 need assessment.
May 20% state at-risk funds be spent through a technical college to provide afterschool
tutoring and to provide a computer enrichment summer camp?
Yes, provided the technical college can provide you with documentation of
their non-profit status, Section 501(c)(3).
Our LEA has contracted with Mental Health of Calhoun/Cleburne Counties for daytreatment
counseling for two years and it has worked well. Now, I assume they are
considered a government agency. We have no other community agencies in
Cleburne with which we can contract. I could contract with our Children's Policy
Council or Department of Human Resources (or through) them for private social
workers. This is one identified area of need from the needs assessment data.
Could the SDE give me some suggestions as to what I can do to utilize my 20%
state at-risk funding?
First, check with your mental health center to determine if they can document
their non-profit, Section 501(c)(3) status, and their non-government status. If
this agency can provide that documentation, then your LEA may consider
them for partnership utilizing 20% state at-risk funding, based on you FY 2003
at-risk needs assessment. The Department of Human Resources is a state
government agency, therefore would not qualify for partnership utilizing 20%
state at-risk funds. The Children's Policy Council is acceptable as a nonprofit,
non-government agency, as each of them is also seeking non-profit
status. For further assistance, please telephone the State At-Risk Specialist at
(334) 353-5766.
The new state legislation states:
. . . "It is the intent of the Legislature that these funds not be utilized to partner with
governmental nor quasi-governmental agencies and entities whose functions
already include programs designated for at-risk funding . . . "
What if the agency is quasi-governmental but their function does not "already include
programs designated for at-risk funding?" Would they qualify for the 20% state at-risk
Please discuss each such program on an individual basis with the State At-
Risk Specialist at (334) 353-5766. Please be prepared to provide written
documentation supporting non-profit, Section 501(c)(3) status, and nongovernment
status when seeking SDE technical assistance.
May my LEA receive state at-risk allocation information for specific schools in our
LEAs may request state at-risk allocations for each school by contacting the
State At-Risk Specialist at (334) 353-5766. That information will be provided by
fax or regular mail.
16.	Do we have to list a child on the Lee v. Macon Tracking Log each time the child is referred to the BBSST for prereferral interventions?
Yes. The child is listed every time another plan is written for them.
15.	Are students who are not accepted for special education evaluation recorded on the Lee v. Macon Tracking Log?
Yes. The answer to this question is two-fold. From the general education perspective, if the student goes through the prereferral process, information related to the prereferral section should be recorded. From the special education perspective, if a referral is received for consideration, whether it is accepted for evaluation or not, information regarding the disposition of the referral should be recorded.
14.	Who will maintain the Lee v. Macon Tracking Log?
Ultimately, special education coordinator will be responsible for reporting the data to the SDE. The BBSST team is responsible for data up to the referral to special education column. The IEP team completes information after that.
13.	When a parent contacts school personnel about concerns or referral for the child, can the education agencies talk to the parent about prereferral strategies before an actual referral?
Yes. School personnel are strongly encouraged to discuss the prereferral process with parents on a case-by-
case basis. However, keep in mind that the prereferral process may be waived per the Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 290-8-9-.01(2).
12.	Will I get zapped on parent referrals at monitoring?
Parent referrals should not be encouraged in an effort to circumvent the prereferral process. Such actions are contrary to what is required by the Lee v. Macon Consent Decree and when done arbitrarily and on a wholesale basis, cannot be done with the best interest of the students in mind. Citations are made on an individual basis after reviewing the information in the education agency.
11.	Should At-Risk funds or general funds be used to purchase instruments for the functional assessment of the classroom environment?
This is an education agency decision. The BBSST is one method of serving at-risk students. If state At-
Risk funds are used, the BBSST must be a part of the school system's Three-Year LEA At-Risk Plan.
10.	Should the parent(s) be part of the BBSST?
The BBSST Manual identifies "Family Member/Guardian" as possible auxiliary members of the team composition. However, it is a local decision as to when and to what extent the parent is involved. Parental participation may vary from student to student. Question:
9.	What about parents who insist that interventions be waived due to the serious nature of their child's problems?
Prereferral interventions may be waived for a child who has severe problems that require immediate attention. Waiver of prereferral interventions is addressed in the Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 290-8-9-.01(2).
8.	Is parent permission required before conducting a functional assessment of the classroom environment?
Permission does not appear to be required by law; however, it is best practice to inform parents when a student is being considered for any evaluation.
7.	Is the functional assessment of the classroom environment completed before or after the initial referral to BBSST?
The functional assessment of the classroom environment is required for a student who is referred for special education services. It must accompany the Student Prereferral Form for those students who are referred on December 1, 2000, and after. If a student is not referred for special education services, it is a BBSST decision whether or not a functional assessment of the classroom environment is conducted. If the BBSST determines such an assessment is needed, the assessment can be performed at any point in the prereferral process that is deemed appropriate by the BBSST.
6.	We do not have a BBSST in place and have not received the BBSST training. What do we do about the prereferral process?
The education agency should establish interim committees to perform prereferral activities. BBSST training should be scheduled as soon as possible through Prevention and Support Services, telephone (334) 242-8165 or fax (334) 353-5962.
5.	Can the BBSST perform duties of another committee? Must the committee that performs BBSST duties be called the BBSST?
There is nothing that precludes the BBSST performing other duties or being called by a different name as long as BBSST functions are effectively executed. Question:
4.	How do the new requirements apply to referrals from private schools and private school personnel? What about parent referrals for students in private schools? In such cases, are prereferral interventions and functional assessments of the classroom environment required?
The Consent Decree does not differentiate between private and public school, nor is there an exemption delineated for private school students regarding prereferral requirements. Guidelines apply to all students within the education agency's jurisdiction and the parent referral of a private school student would be treated as any other parent referral.
3.	If a student is SLI for articulation only and is experiencing academic difficulties, does he/she need to go through the Building-Based Student Support Team (BBSST) and prereferral interventions before doing further testing?
No. The student has already been determined eligible for special education services and is, therefore, eligible for any service that the IEP Team determines is required with appropriate documentation. Question:
2.	What is a performance assessment (a subsection on the Student Prereferral Form)?
A performance assessment is also known as an authentic assessment. It assesses the student's real skills, i.e. critical thinking skills and problem solving skills. Examples of the performance assessment are: portfolios, work samples, projects, videos, observations, products, etc.
1.	Do we have to complete a prereferral form for students referred for speech/language and write N/A on it?
It would not be necessary to complete a form for students referred for articulation, voice, or fluency.
5.	Why will the Alabama Occupational Diploma (AOD) not count in the numerator of the graduation rate equation?
By federal regulations we can only count graduates who complete an approved state program that results in a diploma. AOD students are considered to completers and not as graduates since under current state laws an AOD is not required to be accepted by all colleges and universities in Alabama.
4.	Who is a graduate?
A graduate is a student who has completed all academic requirements as outlined in Alabama Course of Study and has earned/received an Alabama diploma as identified in the Code of Alabama with the exception of the Alabama Occupational Diploma (AOD). The AOD is recorded in the denominator of the graduation formula as a non-graduate not as a graduate for future AYP calculations. Question:
3.	Part 1: Does the SDE recognize the DYS School district as an “Incarceration /enrolled in Program that culminates in Diploma”, “Incarceration/ Enrolled in program that does not culminate in a diploma” or either based on specific school criteria? Part 2: What is the expected documentation of “Proof that student is in a facility/program that culminates in a diploma”, will a letter or will the INOW transcript justify?
Students placed in DYS for long terms will be removed from cohorts. Those who are there short term will remain in cohorts. Yes, either a letter or INOW transcripts will be sufficient.
2.	How will I get my school/system’s access code?
Access codes were e-mailed to Superintendents on Friday, March 2, 2012, and Tuesday, March 6, 2012. Get your access code from the Superintendent in your school system.
1. Will just the Powerpoint be available?
1. Yes, both the Powerpoint and the WebEx presentations from Wednesday, February 29, 2012, and Friday, March 2, 2012 are available. Follow these steps: Access
A. https://www.alsde.edu
B. Choose Sections and scroll to Prevention and Support Services
C. Each WebEx is in "Links"
D. Each Powerpoint is in "Dropout Applications"