Child Find

   It is the responsibility of the Rockport Public Schools to ensure that all children with disabilities residing in Rockport, regardless of the severity of the disability, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located and evaluated. Child Find must include children who are suspected of being a child with a disability and in need of special education. Any educator or staff member of the Rockport Public Schools who believes a student may have a disability and may be eligible for special education or related services shall make a referral to the appropriate personnel at their school for an evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services to the appropriate personnel at their school. A referral can be made by any source who believes a child may be eligible for special education and related services, including, but not limited to a parent, teacher, health care provider, or other individual with knowledge about the child. The use of tiered interventions or screening tools may not be used to delay a full and individualized evaluation of a child suspected of having a disability as required under 34 C.F.R.300.111 and 300.301.  An evaluation of a student may be conducted at the same time as a student receives tiered interventions and supports. The Rockport Public Schools will post a Child Find notice prominently on its website, social media sites and will include an appropriate version of such notice in all student and staff handbooks for each school year.  Child Find information will be included in the mandatory staff training at the start of each school year and in the onboarding process for staff hired after the start of the school year.