Oceanside Collegiate Academy

PUBLIC NOTICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AND PROGRAMS

According to state and federal special education regulations, an annual public notice to parents of children who reside within a school district is required regarding Child Find responsibilities. The district is responsible for conducting Child Find activities for children who may be eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (34CFR §300.111) and under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (34 CFR §104.35(a)).

This notice shall inform parents of the child identification activities and of the procedures followed to ensure the confidentiality of information pertaining to students with disabilities or eligible children. If parents believe that their child may be eligible for special education, the parent should contact Oceanside Collegiate Academy.

Screening

For children who are currently enrolled at Oceanside Collegiate Academy, parents may share educational concerns with the student's teacher, guidance counselor, school psychologist or other school staff member.  Oceanside Collegiate Academy utilizes a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to implement interventions and problem-solve educational concerns.  

For children who were receiving services under IDEA at their previous school and are transferring into Oceanside Collegiate Academy, screening is not necessary.  Please include the information requested in the registration form regarding the child's IEP and notify the office staff of your child's need for services.  If information about the special education services within our schools is needed, please call 843-936-7128.  

Parental Rights in the Child Find Process

The Child Find process is collaborative.  Oceanside Collegiate Academy staff work in conjunction with parents to locate, evaluate, and identify children who may need special education and related services.  If screening results and other educational information provide the basis to suspect a disability, an evaluation planning meeting is scheduled to review available information and determine the additional information needed to consider eligibility, identify the child's strengths and weaknesses, and develop educational recommendations.   Parents and guardians will be provided Procedural Safeguards/Notice of Rights at the time of this collaborative meeting.  Following the referral/evaluation planning meeting, parents and guardians will be issued a Prior Written Notice/Notice of Rights explaining the decision of the team and the district. If the child is referred for an evaluation, informed parental consent must be obtained prior to beginning the evaluation. Once written parental consent is obtained, the district will proceed with the evaluation process. The initial evaluation must be conducted within 60 calendar days of receiving parental consent for the evaluation.

Eligibility Determination

Once the evaluation process is completed, the collaborative team, including the parent and school staff, reconvenes to review the evaluation and consider eligibility.  The team must consider multiple sources of data when determining eligibility.  Following the Eligibility Determination meeting, the parents will receive a Prior Written Notice or Conference Summary explaining the decisions of the team and the district.

Program Development

If the child is eligible, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Service Plan (ISP) team meets, develops the program or plan, and requests parental consent. Once the IEP/ISP team develops the program/plan, school district staff will provide a Prior Written Notice or Conference Summary. Parental consent is required before the program or plan can be implemented.  The parent has the right to revoke consent after initial placement.

Confidentiality of Information

Oceanside Collegiate Academy maintains confidential records concerning children enrolled in the school, including students with disabilities. Your consent, or consent of an eligible child who has reached the age of majority under State law, must be obtained before personally identifiable information is released, except as permitted under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The age of majority in South Carolina is 18. Each participating agency must protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information at collection, storage, disclosure, and destruction states. One official at each participating agency must assume responsibility for ensuring the confidentiality of any personally identifiable information. Each participating agency must maintain, for public inspection, a current listing of the names and positions of those employees within the agency who have access to personally identifiable information.

For additional information related to student records, the parent can refer to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

This notice is only a summary of the Child Find activities and protections pertaining to children with disabilities, children thought to be disabled, and their parents. For more information please call 843-936-7128 or consult with the staff at Oceanside Collegiate Academy.