Arizona Administrative Code › Title 7 - EDUCATION › Chapter 2 - STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION › Article 4 - SPECIAL EDUCATION › Section R7-2-402 - Standards for Approval of Special Education Programs in Private Schools

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 28, July 12, 2024
A. Definitions. All
				terms defined in the regulations for the Individuals with Disabilities
				Education Improvement Act (IDEA) Amendments, A.R.S. §
									15-761,
				and State Board of Education rule R7-2-401 are applicable.
B. No student may be placed by a public
				education agency in a private school special education school program unless
				the facility has been approved as meeting the standards as outlined in this
				rule, and the public education agency is unable to provide satisfactory
				education and services through its own facilities and personnel.
C. In order for a private special education
				school to be approved by the Department for the purpose of contracting with a
				public education agency, the private facility shall:
1. Provide special education instructional
				programs for students with disabilities that are at least comparable to those
				provided by the public schools of Arizona and meet the requirements of
				IDEA.
2. Provide the following
				documentation:
a. Policies and procedures
				based on IDEA and state statues;
b.
				Curriculum that is aligned with the Arizona Academic Standards;
c. A completed application;
d. Copies of all teacher and related service
				personnel certifications and licenses; and
e. If applicable, a copy of North Central
				Accreditation.
3.
				Provide certificated special education teachers in each classroom to implement
				the IEPs of those students assigned to that classroom.
4. Provide related services to meet the needs
				of the students as indicated on their IEPs.
5. Provide administration personnel such as
				head teacher, principal, or other administrator certificated in an
				administrative area or experienced and certificated in the appropriate area of
				special education.
6. Provide an
				education that meets the standards that apply to education provided by the
				public education agency.
7.
				Maintain student records in accordance with the statutory
				requirements.
8. Accept all
				responsibilities concerning instructional programs to the disabled student and
				parent or guardian that are required of the public schools of Arizona. Ultimate
				responsibility for any student under contract in a private special education
				school rests with the public education agency contracting for the students'
				education.
9. Administer all
				required statewide assessments to those students placed in the private facility
				by a PEA or through the educational voucher system.
10. Maintain adequate liability
				insurance.
11. Maintain an
				accounting system and budget which includes the costs of operation,
				maintenance, transportation, and capital outlay, and which is open to review
				upon request.
12. Maintain an
				attendance reporting system that provides public education agencies and the
				Department with required information.
13. Provide notification to contracting
				public education agencies and the Department of any changes in staff or
				deletion of programs within 10 school days of the change or deletion.
14. Provide notification to the contracting
				PEA of any intent to discontinue, suspend, or terminate services to a student
				for longer than 10 days. Services to the student must be continued by the
				private school until an IEP meeting with the PEA is convened to determine an
				appropriate alternative placement. The PEA must be given up to 10 school days
				to arrange for the transition of the student after the IEP
				determination.
15. Permit onsite
				evaluation of the program by the Department or its designees, and the
				representatives of the public education agencies.
16. Request approval to contract with public
				education agencies from the Department in accordance with the prescribed
				procedures.