Students With Disabilities

Colorado Early Colleges (CEC) is a public school that serves students with disabilities and provides services required by state and federal law. CEC is subject to all federal and state laws and constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Laws applicable to students with disabilities include the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Enrollment of Students with Disabilities:

Colorado Early Colleges welcomes all students and strives to serve a diverse student population, including students with disabilities. Recruitment and enrollment decisions are made in a nondiscriminatory manner.

To ensure that the needs of students with disabilities are met, Colorado Early Colleges follows the procedures below:

1. Clear Communication
Enrollment materials clearly state that Colorado Early Colleges serves students with disabilities and provides access to special education services in accordance with state and federal law.

2. Records Review After Admission
After a student is offered enrollment, families are asked to share the student’s most recent Individualized Education Program (IEP) (including eligibility IEP) and/or Section 504 Plan, if available.

3. Collaborative Review
A review team, including school leadership, special education staff, and a representative from the Charter School Institute, reviews the IEP or 504 Plan to determine how the student can be appropriately served at Colorado Early Colleges in the least restrictive environment.

4. IEP Team Meeting (If Needed)
In the uncommon circumstance that questions arise about the implementation of the IEP or access to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), a full IEP team meeting is convened. Parents or guardians are always invited to participate, and the student is included when appropriate.

5. Immediate Service When Appropriate
If the IEP team determines that Colorado Early Colleges is an appropriate placement, the student is enrolled and served in accordance with the existing IEP or 504 Plan unless and until the plan is revised by the IEP or 504 team.

6. Rare Placement Changes
In rare and exceptional cases where a significant change of placement is required, the Charter School Institute works with the student’s administrative unit of residence (school district or BOCES) and the family to identify appropriate placement options. This determination is made only by the IEP team and occurs infrequently.