If the referring person and the IAT Team have reason to believe that the student needs special accommodations or related services in order to be provided access to the District's programs, the IAT Team shall notify the parent. If the referring person and the IAT Team suspect that the student is eligible for services through IDEA, the procedures for identification, evaluation, and placement must be followed. If the IDEA evaluation team determines the child is ineligible under IDEA, the team may determine the student's eligibility, if any, for special accommodations or related services under Section 504. If s/he is eligible, a student accommodation plan shall be developed.

If the referring person does not suspect an IDEA disability or has knowledge that the student does not qualify under IDEA, the student shall be evaluated in accordance with the Section 504 evaluation procedures.

Prior to evaluation, written consent of the parent will be obtained. They will also be notified of their rights.

The Section 504 evaluation is to be tailored to the suspected or known disability and how that disability impacts on the student's ability to function in the school setting. A full multi-factored evaluation may not be required, but the evaluation shall draw upon information from a variety of sources including those who have detailed knowledge about the student and his/her condition. Each person providing evaluative information shall assure that the information is documented.

The school psychologist shall schedule a meeting of the group of persons knowledgeable about the student which shall review the evaluation data and determine if the student is disabled within the meaning of Section 504 (see page 1).

The parents will be notified of the meeting and be invited to attend the meeting.

If the team determines that the student is disabled under 504, it will determine what reasonable accommodation or related services the student may need and develop a 504 student-accommodation plan (see Form 2260 F3).

Parents are to be invited to participate in the development of the plan.

If the 504 team determines that the student is not disabled under 504, it shall document the decision, provide the basis of the decision, and state that the student may be served appropriately in the regular education setting without related services or special interventions. Following the 504 team meeting, the parent is to be notified of the team's decision.

The school psychologist is to ensure that the evaluation and placement process be completed in a reasonably timely manner and in compliance with the procedural safeguards described in Section 504 Procedural Safeguards. It is essential that the parents be provided a copy of their rights under Section 504.

Because of the least-restrictive, environment requirements, the principal should work with the teacher(s) involved to make sure s/he (each):

Within one (1) school year following implementation of a student accommodation plan, the student's 504 team is to review the student's progress and determine if further intervention or a modification in the plan is needed.

The disciplinary process described in Policy 5605 should be used in all situations in which a 504-disabled student may be subject to suspension, expulsion, or exclusion. Since expulsion or cumulative forms of suspension may constitute a change in placement, evaluation procedures must be followed.

If a student, disabled only under Section 504, is caught with drugs at school, s/he may be disciplined in accordance with AG 5610.

Section 504 does not establish timelines for submission of a hearing request nor does it define "impartial hearing" or require that the selection of the hearing officer be mutually agreed-upon by the District and the parents. The impartial hearing officer should be someone who is not employed by or under contract to this District in any capacity. The complainant is to be informed that s/he may contact the Office of Civil Rights at any time.