Jefferson City Schools Detail Disability Education Commitment | The Locally Times
The district outlines its legal obligations under federal and state law, ensuring a free and appropriate public education for eligible students aged 3 to 21.
For families in Jefferson City navigating the complexities of special education, a public notice from the school district serves as a key affirmation: the Jefferson City School District assures it will provide a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to all eligible children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21. This commitment, detailed in recent notices, applies to every qualified disabled person within the district’s jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of their disability, as records from Jefferson City Public Schools indicate. ## Comprehensive Educational Assurance The Jefferson City School District, as a recipient of federal financial assistance, undertakes to identify and locate every qualified person residing in the district who is not currently receiving a public education. The district's jurisdiction includes children attending private schools within the district, highly mobile children such as migrant and homeless children, wards of the state, and those suspected of having a disability even if they are advancing through grades. The provision of FAPE includes regular or special education services and related aids designed to meet individual educational needs as adequately as those of non-disabled persons, based on procedures satisfying federal regulations. The records do not specify the total number of children currently served or the specific budget allocated for these services. ## Frameworks for Compliance To implement federal regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Subpart D, the Jefferson City School District developed a 504/Title II Procedures Manual. This manual is available for review during regular business hours at the District Central Office, located at 315 East Dunklin St. Similarly, the district created a Local Compliance Plan for the implementation of State Regulations for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This plan outlines the agency’s policies and procedures concerning the storage, disclosure to third parties, retention, and destruction of personally identifiable information. It also assures that services comply with the General Education Provision Act (GEPA). The Local Compliance Plan is also available for review at the District Central Office. The notices indicate these documents will be provided in native languages as appropriate. Furthermore, parents retain the right to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education or the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education if they allege the district failed to meet the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The district also assures information and referral services to assist the State in implementing early intervention services for infants and toddlers eligible for the Missouri First Steps program. ## Key Questions **What is a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)?** FAPE means the Jefferson City School District provides regular or special education and related aids and services designed to meet the individual educational needs of disabled persons as adequately as the needs of non-disabled persons. **Where can parents review the district's special education procedures?** Parents can review the 504/Title II Procedures Manual and the Local Compliance Plan during regular business hours at the District Central Office, located at 315 East Dunklin St. **What rights do parents have regarding their child's records?** Parents can inspect and review personally identifiable information collected by the district and may request amendments to records they believe are inaccurate or misleading.