When a student with an IEP enrolls with the Sweetwater Union High School District, the student must be placed into a special education program that is similar to, or the same as the IEP from the sending district, unless the student’s parent/guardian otherwise agrees in writing. The first requirement is to complete the Interim Placement. Within 30 days of enrollment, an Interim IEP Review must be completed.

7.1     Out of District IEP 

When a student with an IEP enrolls with the Sweetwater Union High School District , the student must be placed into a special education program that is similar to, or the same as the IEP from the sending district, unless the student’s parent/guardian otherwise agrees in writing.

1. An Interim Placement form is completed in the district’s electronic IEP system upon   student enrollment in the district.

2.  District staff has 30 calendar days to review the student’s placement and services and hold an IEP team meeting.  This educational program during the 30-day review period is called an interim placement.  During the student’s interim placement, the IEP that was in effect for the student in his or her previous school district must be implemented within existing resources.

A 30-day interim placement can only be for 30 days.  There are no extensions to the interim IEP.   An IEP team meeting must be held within 30 days and the 30-day interim placement review must be completed on time.

It is the Enrolling School’s responsibility to request the most recent student records from the student’s last school of attendance.  Those records should be provided within 5 days.  If records are not received within the 5 day timeline, follow up with phone calls, emails, and necessary steps to gather the records.

If the student’s IEP is not provided, the student must be served in general education until a copy of the IEP is obtained.  DO NOT SEND THE STUDENT HOME.

 

3.  The education specialist at the student’s school of residence/enrollment becomes the acting case manager until the student is placed.  If the student receives only related services such as speech-language services, the education specialist will refer the case to the related service provider who will become the case manager.  The case manager will:

a)Ensure student is entered into the district’s electronic IEP system (Interim Placement form)

b)Review the student’s IEP from the student’s previous school district.

c)Contact officials of the student’s previous school district for information, as necessary.

d)Confer with appropriate special education staff, such as the school psychologist, related service provider and the classroom teacher to help determine how services from the previous district may be implemented in the SUHSD during the 30-day review period.

If, upon review of the IEP, it seems that the last/current placement is incongruous with placement available at student’s School of Residence: 

1.    Contact last school/district of residence to request any additional information that may be helpful in determining services and placement.

2.    Contact the appropriate program manager immediately if the student’s out-of-district IEP indicates placement other than the neighborhood school. 

 

Out of Country IEP’s or Similar 

IEPs from a Military/Department of Defense School, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands should follow the Interim Process and students placed in a comparable program at the neighborhood school If there are questions, contact the Area Manager.

Students who arrive and enroll in a neighborhood school with what appears to be an IEP from any other country that does not receive U.S. Federal Funding for IDEA, should be enrolled in the General Education Program.

The Initial Evaluation and IEP process should begin immediately if there is indication that the student has a suspected disability.

7.2      Interim IEP Review

Prior to the expiration of the 30-day placement, the IEP team must conduct the Interim Placement Review IEP, which is an annual review.  The IEP team will review the out-of-district IEP, assessment data, and instructional placement, and determine whether to conduct new assessments as necessary to develop an IEP.  A nurse’s health update is required if the student has health and/or medical needs.

• If the IEP team determines that the out-of-district IEP continues to appropriately address the student’s needs, goals, services and placement, District staff shall incorporate it into the student’s Interim Placement Review IEP.

 

The last date of comprehensive initial or triennial assessment becomes the three year review date, whether the review was done within or outside of the district.

• If the student’s triennial reassessment is due during the interim placement 30 day period, a Triennial Assessment Plan must be provided to the parent at any time during the 30 day period.  Complete the Interim Placement Review event and continue with the triennial reassessment.
• Assessment of a student that transfers into the district after parent consent to an assessment plan in the previous district must continue as expeditiously as possible to ensure prompt completion of the full assessment.  Contact the previous district to determine if any assessments were already completed.  Create a new assessment plan that mirrors the previous district’s plan in the district’s electronic IEP system.  SUHSD must complete the assessments process.  If additional assessments are deemed appropriate they may be added.  Obtain parent consent for the assessment plan and continue with assessments already started in the other district.  The timeline from the previous district is no longer in effect, but SUHSD must expedite the new assessment plan timeline.