EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

The Board of Education of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District reaffirms its commitment to providing equal educational opportunities for all students in all educational programs and activities without discrimination based upon sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic group, marital or parental status, and physical or mental disability. The board shall ensure equal opportunities for all students in admission and access to academic courses, guidance and counseling programs, athletic programs, testing procedures, vocational programs, and other activities.

Moreover, it is the policy of the Board of Education to provide a free and appropriate public education to each handicapped student within its jurisdiction regardless of the nature or severity of the handicap. It shall be the responsibility of the district to identify and evaluate students who are suspected of being disabled under the definition of handicapped provided by the Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA) and/or that provided by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

For this policy, a student who may need special services, programs, or reasonable accommodations within the intent of Section 504 is one who:

Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including learning, or
Has a record of such impairment, or
Is regarded as having such impairment

Students may be eligible for services under the provision of Section 504 even though they do not require special education services pursuant to the Individuals With Disabilities Act. Students who are identified as individuals with exceptional needs according to the criteria specified in the IDEA may receive services provided for under the Local Plan of the Northeast Orange County SELPA and procedures under California Education Code Section 56500 et seq. Due process rights of disabled students and their parents under Section 504 will be enforced. The coordinator of Section 504 activities shall be the Director of Pupil Services.

Further, the board recognizes the importance of providing the least restrictive environment for the education of disabled students. The district shall provide programs and educational opportunities to assure that, to the maximum extent appropriate, disabled students are educated with children who are not disabled.

Special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of disabled students from the general educational environment shall occur only when the nature or severity of the handicapped is such that education in general classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

Policy adopted:	9/8/90
Policy revised:	4/13/93