HOW DOES A STUDENT BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIAL SERVICES?

A student can be referred for an evaluation by the Mendham Borough School District or by a parental request. Upon receiving a written request from the parent or legal guardian, the child study team will schedule an Initial Evaluation Planning Meeting to examine whether an evaluation is warranted. If warranted, the scope of the evaluation is determined. The meeting will include the parent, school psychologist, school social worker, learning disabilities teacher consultant, and a general education teacher. The initial evaluation will consist of a multi-disciplinary assessment in all areas of suspected disability. When an initial evaluation is completed an Eligibility Meeting is convened to determine whether the student is eligible for special education and related services. Parents will receive a copy of the report and documentation of eligibility. A student will be determined eligible for special education and related services if the student has a disability which adversely affects the student’s educational performance.

For additional information regarding Special Education, please refer to the New Jersey Administrative Code.

WHAT IS AN IEP?

An IEP is an Individual Education Plan for any student identified by the child study team to be eligible for special education. This Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed within thirty days of a determination that the student is eligible for classification, related services and/or speech and language services. The IEP shall include measurable annual goals that are related to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Any modifications that need to be made to the student's educational program including specific teaching strategies, statements of how the parents will regularly be informed of the students progress, and if there is a need for related services (counseling, speech/language, occupational therapy, physical therapy) shall also be included. The Individual Education Plan is specific to every individual student.

HOW ARE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES PROVIDED IN THE MENDHAM BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT?

All students are examined on an individual basis and appropriate services/programs are based upon those needs. We offer support services and programs from preschool through eighth grade. A student's special education program will be based upon recommendations from the IEP team designed to support that individual's annual progress in receiving a free, appropriate public education.

WHAT IS SECTION 504?

Section 504 of the rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities, public and private that receive financial assistance. For more information, please refer to the 504 link on the Special Services website.