Policy Code: D7

First Reading: November 16, 2021
Adopted: December 7, 2021

Related: See EWSD Special Education Procedures and Practices Manual

Policy

It is the policy of the Essex Westford School District to meet the needs of students with disabilities, as defined in federal and state law and regulations, and to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to these students in the least restrictive environment that will allow all students to benefit educationally.

The Agency of Education (AOE), as the State Education Agency (SEA), is responsible for the overall provision of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to eligible Vermont students with disabilities and does this through the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Essex Westford School District will use the guidelines developed by the Vermont Agency of Education in its most current edition of the Vermont Special Education Procedures and Practices Manual (Manual) regarding special education issues. The
Manual is designed to assist Vermont school districts in understanding the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) and meeting its
requirements.

The Manual can be found on the Vermont Agency of Education’s website.