The Ocean Springs School District shall provide services to support the district's program of instruction.  The Board directs the Superintendent to develop and maintain instructional services for the benefit of students and staff.

The Mississippi Public School Accountability Process Standards for this policy are Standards 6, 24, 25, and 26. 

ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAM

1.    Beginning with the school year 1993-94, the School Boards of all school districts shall establish, maintain and operate, in connection with the regular programs of said school district, an alternative school program for, but not limited to, the following categories of compulsory-school-age students:

a.   Any compulsory-school-age child who has been suspended for more than ten (10) days or expelled from school, except for any student expelled for possession of a weapon or other felonious conduct;

b.   Any compulsory-school-age child referred to such alternative school based upon a documented need for placement in the alternative school program by the parent, legal guardian or custodian of such child due to disciplinary problems;

c.   Any compulsory-school-age child referred to such alternative school program by the dispositive order of a chancellor or youth court judge, with the consent of the superintendent of the child's school district; and

d.   Any compulsory-school-age child whose presence in the classroom, in the determination of the school superintendent or principal, is a disruption to the educational environment of the school or a detriment to the best interest and welfare of the students and teacher of such class as a whole.

2.   The principal or program administrator of any such alternative school program shall require verification from the appropriate guidance counselor of any such child referred to the alternative school program regarding the suitability of such child for attendance at the alternative school program.  Before a student may be removed to an alternative school education program, the superintendent of the student's school district must determine that the written and distributed disciplinary policy of the local district is being followed.  The policy shall include standards for:

a.   The removal of a student to an alternative education program that will include a process of educational review to develop the student's individual instruction plan and the evaluation at regular intervals of the student's educational progress; the process shall include classroom teachers and/or other appropriate professional personnel, as defined in the district policy, to ensure a continuing educational program for the removed student;

b.   The duration of the alternative placement; and

c.   The notification of parents or guardians, and their appropriate inclusion in the removal and evaluation process, as defined in the district policy.  Nothing in this paragraph should be defined in a manner to circumvent the principal's or the superintendent's authority to remove a student to alternative education.

3.    The local school board or the superintendent shall provide for the continuing education of a student who has been removed to an alternative school program.

4.    A school district may, in its discretion, provide a program of general educational development (GED) preparatory instruction in the alternative school program.

5.    Any such alternative school program operated under the authority of this section shall meet all appropriate accreditation requirements of the State Department of Education. 

' 37-13-92 (2000)

The Mississippi Public School Accountability Process Standard for this section is Standard 29.

 

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

The State Department of Education shall establish goals for the performance of children with disabilities that will promote the purpose of IDEA and are consistent, to the maximum extent appropriate, with other goals and standards for children established by the State Department of Education.  Performance indicators used to assess progress toward achieving those goals that, at a minimum, address the performance of children with disabilities on assessments, drop-out rates, and graduation rates shall be developed.  Every two (2) years, the progress toward meeting the established performance goals shall be reported to the public.  Senate Bill 2506 (1999 Legislative Session) and ' 37-23-1 (1999)

The educational programs and services provided for exceptional children in Sections 37-23-1 through 37-23-15, 37-23-31 through 37-23-35, 37-23-61 through 37-23-75 and 37-23-77 shall be designed to provide individualized appropriate special education and related services that enable a child to reach his or her appropriate and uniquely designed goals for success.  The State Board of Education shall establish an accountability system for special education programs and students with disabilities.  The system shall establish accountability standards for services provided to improve the educational skills designed to prepare children for life after their years in school. Senate Bill 2506 (1999 Legislative Session) and ' 37-23-1 (1999)

LEGAL REF.: MS CODE as cited and Senate Bill 2506 (1999)

                 Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards (2004)

ADOPTED:    03/08/1988

REVISED:     04/18/2006

                12/12/2006 

                12/08/2009