Federal and state law requires that School Districts must ensure that a free and appropriate public education is available to all children with disabilities residing within the district between the ages of 3-22, inclusive, including children with disabilities who have been suspended or expelled. The identification, locating and evaluation of students with disabilities within is accomplished in a number of ways.
45-Day Screening
All students enrolling in the district for the first time will be screened in the areas of vision, hearing, communication, academic skills and social skills within 45 days of their enrollment. Any concerns identified by this screening will be followed up by the appropriate person.
Student Study Team (SST)
Any teacher, parent, or other person knowledgeable about the student, who suspects that a student may have a disability, may refer the student to the Student Study Team. The person requesting the Student Study Team shall contact the appropriate SST team leader. The role of the SST is to discuss their concerns about the student and recommend strategies and interventions to address those concerns and student needs. After strategies and interventions have been tried and documented, the SST Team shall recommend if a student needs formal evaluation.
Child Find & Identification Procedures
It is Pinnacle High School District responsibility to inform the general public and all parents within our boundaries of our responsibility to make available special education services for students with disabilities aged 3 through 21 years and how to access those services. In addition we have a responsibility to provide information regarding early intervention services for children from birth through 2 years.
We are responsible for identifying, locating, and evaluating all children with disabilities including children aged 3 through 21 and for referring children from birth through 2 years of age to Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) for evaluation and appropriate services.
We are also responsible for providing a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) which includes special education and related services to children with disabilities at public expense, under public supervision and direction and without charge to the parents.
For all new students to the district, the classroom teacher will complete screening activities within 45 days of enrollment. The teacher will look at the child’s ability in the areas of academics, vision, hearing, adaptive, communication, social/emotional and motor skills. If any concerns are noted the child may be referred for additional help.
For any student attending a Pinnacle (middle) High Schools OR attending a private school within our boundaries OR any student that is home schooled that may be suspected of having a disability, the procedure for referral is as follows:
- A written request to the school. This written request should contain the reason for the referral, areas or issues of concern, reason for suspecting disability, and any previous interventions that have been attempted to date.
- Contact information of the person referring.
- This request should be sent to:
Attention:
Director of Special Education Operations
Pinnacle High Schools
2224 West Southern Avenue, Suite 2
Tempe, AZ 85282
Children from birth through 2 years of age who are receiving early intervention services and will be participating in preschool programs for children with disabilities will be assured of a smooth transition into that program. We will ensure that:
- Transition conferences for children aged 2 years 6 months to 2 years, 9 months will be held;
- By the child’s 3rd birthday an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) will be developed and implemented; and
- For the child who turns three during the summer, the IEP team will determine the date for services to begin including eligibility for Extended School Year (ESY) services.
If you have concerns about a child, you know please contact the District Department of Specialized Services Director for additional information.
AZ FIND Brochure English Spanish