Special Education
The Independence School District assures a free and appropriate public education to all students with a disability, including those attending private/parochial schools, beginning on the child’s third birthday through age twenty-one, regardless of the child’s disability. Disabilities include: learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, speech disorders (voice, fluency, or articulation), language disorders, visually impaired, hearing impaired, physically/other health impaired, multi-handicapped, deaf/blind, autism and traumatic brain injury.
The District assures parents the right to inspect and review personally identifiable information collected and used or maintained by the District relating to their children.
The District developed a local Compliance Plan for implementation of Special Education. This plan is available for public review during office hours in the Office of Special Services.
Contact the office of Special Services with any questions. 816-521-5300.
Surrogate Parent Program
Pursuant of the requirements of state law 162.997-999 RSMo., the State Board of Education is required to appoint a surrogate parent at such time as it becomes evident that a child with a disability does not have a parent or a person acting as a parent to participate in matters dealing with the provision of special education. For purposes of surrogate parent appointment, “parent” is defined as a biological parent, a guardian, or a person acting as a parent of a child including, but not limited to, a grandparent, a step-parent, or a foster parent with whom the child lives. The term does not include a person whose parental rights have been terminated.
The Independence School District is responsible to determine when a child with a disability who resides in the District may be in need of a person to act as a surrogate parent. The District must notify the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education of the need to appoint a surrogate parent. Training for persons serving as surrogate parents will be provided by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the District. Those interested in volunteering to serve as a surrogate parent should contact the Office of Special Services of the Independence School District, 521-5300.
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