• Special Education

    Child Find

    Screening and referrals for children aged birth through five years of age, who may have disabilities or significant developmental delays, is available for children within the geographical boundaries of the Cochise School District .

    These services are provided through Child Find. Child Find is a federally-mandated screening program.

    Parents or guardians of such children are invited to call Cochise School at (520) 384-2540 to arrange an appointment for a free Child Find screening.

  • Confidentiality of Student Records

    ANNUAL NOTIFICATION TO PARENTS REGARDING CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT EDUCATION RECORDS

     

    The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."

    •  Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school within 45 days of a request made to the school administrator. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records without copies. Schools may charge a fee for copies.

    •  Parents or eligible students have the right to request in writing that a school correct records that they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.

    •  Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions:

    •  School officials with legitimate educational interest

    •  A school official is a person employed or contracted by the school to serve as an administrator, supervisor, teacher, or support staff member (including health staff, law enforcement personnel, attorney, auditor, or other similar roles); a person serving on the school board; or a parent or student serving on an official committee or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks;

    •  A legitimate educational interest means the review of records is necessary to fulfill a professional responsibility for the school;

    •  Other schools to which a student is seeking to enroll;

    •  Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;

    •  Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;

    •  Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;

    •  Accrediting organizations;

    •  To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;

    •  Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and

    •  State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

    Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, sports participation (including height and weight of athletes) and dates of attendance unless notified by the parents or eligible student that the school is not to disclose the information without consent.

    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that protects the rights of students with disabilities. In addition to standard school records, for children with disabilities education records could include evaluation and testing materials, medical and health information, Individualized Education Programs and related notices and consents, progress reports, materials related to disciplinary actions, and mediation agreements. Such information is gathered from a number of sources, including the student's parents and staff of the school of attendance.  Also, with parental permission, information may be gathered from additional pertinent sources, such as doctors and other health care providers. This information is collected to assure the child is identified, evaluated, and provided a Free Appropriate Public Education in accordance with state and federal special education laws.

    Each agency participating under Part B of IDEA must assure that at all stages of gathering, storing, retaining and disclosing education records to third parties that it complies with the federal confidentiality laws.  In addition, the destruction of any education records of a child with a disability must be in accordance with IDEA regulatory requirements.

     For additional information or to file a complaint, you may call the federal government at (202) 260-3887 (voice) or 1-800-877-8339 (TDD) OR the Arizona Department of Education (ADE/ESS) at (602) 542-4013. Or you may contact:

     

    Family Policy Compliance Office 
    U.S. Department of Education 
    400 Maryland Avenue, SW 
    Washington , D.C. 20202-5901

    Arizona Department of Education 
    Exceptional Student Services 
    1535 W. Jefferson, BIN 24 
    Phoenix , AZ 85007 

    This notice is available in English and Spanish on the ADE website at www.ade.az.gov/ess/resources under forms. For assistance in obtaining this notice in other languages, contact the ADE/ESS at the above phone/address.

  • Gifted Program

    The Cochise School District is committed to special education for gifted students to help them develop their extraordinary abilities and recognizes that gifted students in this district have unique values, needs, and talents. The program for gifted students is designed to aid in the optimum development of their intellectual, emotional, and social abilities and to honor the diversity among the identified gifted students through the provision of varied placement options and differentiated and more challenging curriculum.

    The Arizona Academic Standards 2000 form the foundation of curriculum for all district programs. Modifications made in the curriculum for gifted students will ensure that students have mastered the standards and will provide extensions for students to meet or exceed the standards at the highest level.

    Definition of Giftedness and Population Description

    Students with exceptional abilities and talents are found in all cultural and linguistic groups, in all economic levels, in all geographic areas of the state, in all domains of intelligence and in groups of individuals who also have disabilities. The official definition of “gifted child” is found in Arizona Revised Statute § 15-761.71.

    “Gifted child" means a child who is of lawful school age, who due to superior intellect or advanced learning ability, or both, is not afforded an opportunity for otherwise attainable progress and development in regular classroom instruction and who needs special instruction, or special ancillary services, or both, to achieve at levels commensurate with his intellect and ability.” (A.R.S. 15-761.7)

    Although each gifted student is unique, gifted students do have some characteristics in common. They usually are swift and efficient learners, may make intuitive leaps, quickly sense patterns in information, ask themselves questions about perceived patterns in order to understand them, and form connections among stored concepts and related bits of new information to modify their existing knowledge base. In their area of interest, they are able to construct clear mental maps that organize concepts efficiently; they are able to think flexibly about new possibilities, and they thrive on questions and problems that have a wide range of possible answers instead of those that have one correct answer.

    Gifted students develop asynchronously. This means that they are intellectually advanced in one or more areas, yet may have difficulties or be very average in other areas. Their motor skills may or may not match those of other same age children. The same is true for social skills. In addition, social skills may be advanced. Young gifted children progress through developmental milestones more rapidly, and sometimes prefer to associate with older children or adults who are more likely to understand their vocabulary and the complexity of their ideas.

    One important point is that gifted students of the same age are not alike. There are differences between moderately gifted, highly gifted, and profoundly gifted students that may require as much curriculum differentiation within the group as is necessary between moderately gifted students and their non-gifted peers. Program modifications for gifted students must be sufficiently varied and flexible that these students can be provided challenging learning experiences and appropriate resources.

    Screening, Identification and Placement

    Early identification is essential for the intellectual and emotional health of gifted children because it enables early intervention. Consequently, the governing board of Cochise School District has adopted a multifaceted approach to screening and identification of gifted learners. Prior to being given tests to determine gifted program eligibility, all students who are nominated for gifted assessment will be given routine hearing and vision screening tests.

    •  Young children may be nominated for a gifted program by parents, guardians, preschool teachers, or other community members.

    •  Students currently enrolled in district schools may be nominated by parents, teachers, or peers. They may also nominate themselves.

    •  Students who score at or above the 95 th percentile on any section of a standardized achievement test will qualify for further testing.

    Nominated students will be assessed with one or more tests from the Arizona State Board of Education Approved Test List. Students will be tested in verbal, quantitative and non-verbal areas. Students who score at or above the 97 th percentile on any of these three sections of the test, or have a full composite score above the 97 th percentile, will be offered placement in the gifted program. Alternative assessment measures, portfolio data and other informal evaluation data may be used to augment formal assessment processes.

    The Gifted District Coordinator will analyze the results of the screening and testing processes and make recommendations for placement in one of the following: 1) ability-grouped classrooms, 2) cross-grade cluster groups, 3) acceleration into a higher grade or single subject acceleration, 4) a combination of placement in a regular classroom for work in some academic areas and placement at a higher grade level in the area(s) of academic strength, 5) self contained classes, or other combinations of these options. Middle school programs will offer advanced placement classes along with other age appropriate options.

    For highly gifted and profoundly gifted students, the district coordinator will work with parents to provide advanced alternatives to the gifted curriculum. Alternatives may include enrollment in a college or university. School district personnel will provide both academic and personal/social guidance or counseling services related to advanced learning opportunities for gifted students, and their parents.


    PROGRAM FOR GIFTED STUDENTS
    Mission Statement

    Appropriate curriculum for gifted students must be qualitatively different from the regular school program. As the governing board and staff of Cochise School District are committed to the encouragement of excellence and optimal talent development among gifted students, the district has developed a comprehensive program of educational interventions to meet the needs of our gifted students.

    •  Appropriate modifications must be made in the following four areas: (1) learning environments, (2) complexity and organization of content to be mastered, (3) learning and thinking processes to be emphasized, and the (4) quality and variety of the products that students will create to demonstrate mastery.

    •  Evaluation and assessment of student products must be tied to: criteria established through rubrics, standards of excellence, and program goals. Products will be evaluated by the teacher.

    •  A continuum of services must be provided to enhance the unique potentials of each gifted student.

    •  Articulation of services must be provided to connect program options sequentially from one grade to the next.

    Parent Involvement in Gifted Child Education
    The Governing Board and administration of Cochise School District have adopted the following procedures to promote cooperation between parents of gifted children and district staff.

    As specified in Arizona Department of Education Rule 7-2-406.3.a, parents or legal guardians of students shall be provided the following information:

    Definition of a Gifted Child

    “Gifted child" means a child who is of lawful school age, who due to superior intellect or advanced learning ability, or both, is not afforded an opportunity for otherwise attainable progress and development in regular classroom instruction and who needs special instruction or special ancillary services, or both, to achieve at levels commensurate with his intellect and ability.” (A.R.S. § 15-761.7)

    Services Mandated for Gifted Students by the State of Arizona

    The governing board of each school district shall provide special education to gifted pupils identified as provided in section 15-770. Special education for gifted pupils shall only include expanding academic course offerings and supplemental services as may be required to provide an educational program which is commensurate with the academic abilities and potentials of the gifted pupil. (A.R.S.§15-764-C)

    Services Available from the Cochise School District

    This scope and sequence will be available to view during regular business hours at the business office of Cochise School .

    Written Criteria Cochise School District for Referral, Screening, Selection, and Placement

    Copies of referral and nomination forms will be available at the Cochise Schhol business office. These forms will be provided to all parents or guardians upon request for gifted students. The process of referral, screening, selection and placement is described in this scope and sequence.

    Forms and letters will be available in English; translation services or translated print materials will be made available for parents or guardians whose primary language is other than English.

    Time Allocations for Services

    Duplication of forms may take no more than 45 days after the request is made. A reasonable fee for duplication may be charged by the district.

    Testing Procedures

    Before administering tests to students who are suspected of being gifted, students will be given routine vision and hearing screening exams. Cochise School District will administer one or more state-approved tests periodically and at no less than three regular intervals throughout the year.

    As a part of the nomination/referral form, parents will be given an opportunity to grant orwithhold permission for testing. Nomination/referral forms and information letters to parents will be printed in English; translation services or translated print materials will be made available for parents or guardians whose primary language is other than English.

    Notification of Testing Results

    Cochise School District will send letters to parents or guardians of tested students, at their address of record, within 30 days after the scheduled test date, to report test results and placement decisions. Letters will be written in the home language of record for those individuals who do not speak English.

    If a parent or legal guardian requests an explanation of test results, Cochise School District will set up an appointment for the parent or legal guardian with a professional staff member qualified to explain test results.

    Notification of Placement

    A letter, in the home language of record, will be sent to parents or legal guardians of all tested students to notify them of the placement decision made by the Cochise School District committee. A description of the services recommended for the student will be provided. Parents or guardians will be given the opportunity to grant or withhold permission for placement in the recommended program. At the request of parent or legal guardian, an appointment will be set up with a member of the professional staff who is able to provide further information.

  • HOMELESS STUDENTS

    RIGHTS OF HOMELESS STUDENTS

    Cochise Elementary School shall provide an educational environment that treats all students with dignity and respect. Every homeless student shall have access to the same free and appropriate educational opportunities as students who are not homeless. This commitment to the educational rights of homeless children, youth, and unaccompanied youth, applied to all services, programs, and activities provided or made available.

    A student may be considered eligible for services as a “Homeless Child or Youth” under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act if he or she is presently living:

    In a shelter, temporary shared housing, or transitional living program
    In a hotel/motel, campground, or similar situation due to lack of alternatives
    At a bus station, park, car, or abandoned building
    In temporary or transitional foster care placement
    According to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act, eligible students have rights to :

    Immediate enrollment : Documentation and immunization records cannot serve as a barrier to the enrollment in school.

    School Selection : McKinney Vento eligible students have a right to select from the following schools:

    •  The school he/she attended when permanently housed (School of Origin)

    •  The school in which he/she was last enrolled (School of Origin)

    •  The school in the attendance area in which the student currently resides (School of Residency)

    •  In Maricopa County , Thomas J. Pappas School

    Remain enrolled in his/her selected school for the duration of homelessness, or until the academic year upon which they are permanently housed.

    Participate in programs for which they are eligible, including Title I, National School Lunch Program, Head Start, Even Start, etc.

    Transportation Services: A McKinney-Vento eligible student attending his/her School of Origin has a right to transportation to and from the School of Origin .

    Dispute Resolution : If you disagree with school officials about enrollment, transportation, or fair treatment of a homeless child or youth, you may file a complaint with the school district. The school district must respond and attempt to resolve it quickly. During the dispute, the student must be immediately enrolled in the school and provided transportation until the matter is resolved. The Homeless Liaison will assist you in making decision, providing notice of any appeal process, and filling out dispute forms .

    For more information, refer to http://www.azed.gov/homeless/ or contact:

    Karl Uterhardt
    Homeless Liaison
    Cochise Elementary School
    5025 N. Bowie Ave. , P.O. Box 1088
    Cochise , Arizona 85606 
    (520) 384-2540 


    Homeless Education Coordinator 
    Arizona Department of Education 
    1535 W. Jefferson Street 
    Phoenix , AZ   85007 
    (602) 542-4963

  • Special Education records (including placement records, referrals, evaluations, testing data, and other related records) are retained by the school district for only four years after a student's final year of enrollment in Special Services programs.

    If you wish to receive a copy of your son/daughter's file, please call Mrs. Candy Acuna, Monday-Friday, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. at (520) 384-2540. (Note: Once a student turns 18, the records will only be given to him or her, and not to a parent. There may be exceptions. If you have a question, please call.)