The District shall provide equal opportunities within its jurisdiction. Education Code 1.002

No officer or employee of the District shall, when acting or purporting to act in an official capacity, refuse to permit any student to participate in any school program because of the student's race, religion, color, sex, or national origin. 42 U.S.C. 2000d, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 106.001

The District shall designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, and shall notify all students of the name, office address, and telephone number of the employees) so designated. The Board shall adopt and publish procedures providing for prompt and equitable resolution of student complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of sex in violation of Title IX. 20 U.S.C. 1681-1686; 34 CFR 106.8

The District may not deny services to any individual eligible to participate in its special education program, but it shall provide individuals with disabilities special educational services as authorized by law. Education Code 1.002(b)

The Texas Education Agency shall produce and provide to school districts a written explanation of the options and requirements for providing assistance to students who have learning difficulties or who need or may need special education. The explanation must state that a parent is entitled at any time to request an evaluation of the parent's child for special education services under Education Code 29.004. Each school year, the District shall provide the written explanation to a parent of each District student by including the explanation in the student handbook or by another means. Education Code 26.0081

No qualified student with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any District service, program, or activity. Nor shall the District exclude or otherwise deny equal services, programs, or activities to a student because of the known disability of an individual with whom the student is known to have a relationship. 42 U.S.C. 12132; 29 U.S.C. 794; 28 U S. C. 35.130(g), 34 CFR 104.4(a)

A "student with a disability" is one who has, or who has a record of having, or who is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. A student with a disability is "qualified" if he or she is between the ages of three and 21, inclusive. 28 CFR 35.104; 34 CFR 104.3(j)(k)

The District shall provide a free appropriate public education to each qualified student with a disability within the District's jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the student's disability. An appropriate education shall include regular or special education and related services that are designed to meet the individual educational needs of the student as adequately as the needs of students who do not have disabilities are met and that are based on adherence to procedures that satisfy federal requirements for educational setting, evaluation and placement, and procedural safeguards, as set forth below. 34 CFR 104.33

Note:

See EHBA series for policies regarding the provision of special education to students with disabilities who require special education in order to benefit from a free appropriate public education.

In interpreting evaluation information and making placement decisions, the District shall:

1. Draw upon information from a variety of sources, including aptitude and achievement tests, teacher recommendations, physical condition, social or cultural background, and adaptive behavior.

2. Establish procedures to ensure that such information is documented and carefully considered.

3. Ensure that placement decisions are made by a group of persons, including those knowledgeable about the student, the meaning of evaluation data, and placement options.

34 CFR 104.35(c)

The District shall designate an appropriate staff person as a District liaison for homeless children. The District shall inform school personnel, service providers, and advocates working with homeless families of the duties of the liaison. [See FFC]

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001, Secs. 722, 725, part of No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 42 U.S.C. 11432