THE NORTHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION FILE CODE: 6172 Northfield, New Jersey X Monitored
Mandated Policy X Other Reasons
ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Northfield Board of Education endeavors to provide an educational program adjusted to the needs of the individual child within the financial means of the district. Grouping enables a more efficient use of staff in meeting these needs. Program adaptations provide another means of using staff efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of many children.
When the needs of special individuals or groups cannot be met through adaptation or independent study, the chief school administrator shall investigate and propose to the board for approval alternative programs and facilities. Alternative education programs shall be approved by the Commissioner of Education.
Each alternative education program shall fulfill the program criteria that are specified in N.J.A.C. 6A:16-9.2 including but not limited to:
A. A maximum student-teacher ratio of 12:1 for high school programs;
B. A maximum student-teacher ratio of 10:1 for middle school programs;
C. An Individualized Program Plan (IPP) shall be developed for each general education student enrolled in the program; and
D. For students with disabilities the alternate education program shall be consistent with the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Home Schooling
The board acknowledges the right of parents/guardians to educate their children at home. The board is not required by law to allow a resident child educated elsewhere than at school to participate in the regular school curriculum or in extracurricular or sports activities. The board may:
A. Allow a child educated elsewhere than at school to participate in curricular and extracurricular activities or sports activities;
B. Loan books or materials to a child educated elsewhere than at school.
Required Services to Home Schooled Students
When a student of this district is home schooled, the district shall:
A. Provide payment for tuition when a student is enrolled in a shared-time vocational school program. Once a resident student is enrolled in a shared-time vocational school program the student becomes a public school student;
B. Review any written request for a special education evaluation and if warranted conduct an evaluation as described in board policy 6171.4 Special Education and in accordance with the federal special education law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (P.L. 108-446 §612).
If the child is eligible for special education and related services, the district shall make a free, appropriate
public education available only if the child enrolls in the district. If the child does not enroll in the district,
but the district chooses to provide services, the district will develop a plan for the services to be provided.
File Code: 6172 ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (continued)
Disruptive/Disaffected Children
The board of education recognizes that the active engagement of each student is a primary requisite for sound teaching and learning to take place. When a child is unable to benefit from the educational program because he/she is either disruptive or disaffected, then the educational goals of the district for that child will not be realized and the efforts of other students may be impeded.
In an effort to optimize the educational experience for each child, the chief school administrator shall develop procedures to identify and work with disruptive/disaffected students.
When it is determined by the child study team that a disruptive/disaffected student is not classifiable, the board shall consider some other program as an alternative to regular classroom attendance. When the district does not have a suitable alternative program available, the chief school administrator shall recommend to the board placement in a program of another district, or home instruction.
In accordance with state law and board policy, disruptive students whose continuing attendance interrupts the educational program and/or threatens harm to themselves and others may be suspended and considered for expulsion (see policy 5114 Suspension and Expulsion).
Removal for Weapons Offenses or Assault
Any student who is convicted or found to be delinquent for the following offenses shall be immediately removed by the principal from the district’s regular education program for a period of not less than one calendar year and placed in an alternative education school or program pending a hearing before the board of education to remove the pupil:
A. Possessing a firearm on any school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored function; or
B. Committing a crime while possessing a firearm.
The chief school administrator shall determine at the end of the year whether the student is to return to the district’s regular education program, in accordance with procedures established by the Commissioner of Education.
Any student who assaults a student, teacher, administrator, board member, or other district employee with a weapon other than a firearm on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored function must be immediately removed from the school’s regular education program and placed in an alternative school or program, pending a hearing before the board. The chief school administrator shall determine when the child shall return to the regular education program.
Potential Dropouts
While statute requires attendance of each student only until 16 years of age, it is in the best interests of both students and the community that they complete the educational program that will equip them with skills and increase their chances for a successful and fulfilling life beyond the schools.
The board directs that whenever a student wishes to withdraw, or has been identified as a potential withdrawal, effort should be made to determine the underlying reason and the resources of the district should be used to assist the student in reaching his/her career goals. No pupil under the age of 18 will be permitted to withdraw without the written consent of a parent/guardian.
The chief school administrator shall develop procedures for withdrawal from school that:
A. Make counseling services available to any student who wishes to withdraw;
File Code: 6172 ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (continued)
B. Make every effort to satisfy the student’s future educational needs;
C. Help the student define his/her own educational life goals and help plan the realization of those goals;
D. Inform the student of the high school equivalency program;
E. Point out to the student the opportunities available in the armed forces.
Adopted: NJSBA Review/Update: Readopted:
Key Words
Alternative Educational Programs, Home Schooling, Dropouts, Disruptive Pupils, Disruptive Students, Disaffected Pupils, Disaffected Students, At-Risk Pupils
Legal References: N.J.S.A. 18A:11-1 General mandatory powers and duties
- 18A:37-1 et seq. Discipline of pupils See particularly:
- 18A:37-2.2
- 18A:38-1, -25, -31 Attendance at school free of charge
- 18A:54-20 Powers of board (county vocational schools)
- 6A:8-5.1 Graduation requirements
- 6A:8-5.2 High school diplomas
- 6A:14-1.1 etseq. Special Education
- 6A:16-5.5 Removal of students from general education for firearms offense
- 6A:16-5.6 Removal of students from general education for assaults with weapons
- 6A:16-9.1et seq. Alternative Education Programs
- 6A:16-10.1 et seq. Home or Out-of-School Instruction for General Education Students
- 6A:30-1.1et seq. Evaluation of the Performance of School Districts
- 6A:32-13.1 et seq. Student Behavior See particularly:
- 6A:32-13.2
20 U.S.C.A. 1400 et seq. -1990 Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, P.L. 108-446 §612
State v. Vaughn, 44 N.J. 142, 1965
State v. Massa, 95 N.J. Super. 382, 1967
20 USCA Section 8921 Gun Free Schools Act
Possible Cross References: *5113 Absences and excuses *5114 Suspension and expulsion
5119 Transfers *5131 Conduct/discipline *5131.7 Weapons and dangerous instruments *5134 Married/pregnant pupils *6142.2 English as a second language; bilingual programs
File Code: 6172 ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (continued)
*6142.12 Career education *6164.2 Guidance services *6164.4 Child study team *6171.4 Special education *6173 Home instruction
*Indicates policy is included in the Critical Policy Reference Manual.