Admission Policies and Procedures

Nashoba Learning Group (NLG or “the school”) shall maintain on permanent file this written description of admission procedures. A copy of these procedures will be provided to placing agencies and the parent(s) or guardian of any student referred for placement.

NLG operates a center based private special education program for students from 3 to 22 years of age. NLG accepts male and female students with diagnoses of Autism and related disorders. Students with signs and characteristics of these disabilities may also be accepted even though a formal diagnosis has not yet been made. NLG does not discriminate in admission or administration of its policies on the basis of race, color, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. There are no educational pre-placement requirements. NLG does require evidence of secured funding prior to admitting any student. For students placed at NLG by school districts or other agencies, this evidence is a contract signed by the appropriate authorities of the school district or agency and by NLG’s Executive Director, Maureen Vibert.

NLG shall not accept any student for placement whose needs cannot be adequately met by the program.

For students with complex medical needs, NLG will work with the student’s Team to determine whether and how NLG can serve the student.

NLG accepts and provides support for students whose IEP plans call for appropriate amounts of supported inclusion in regular education programming. NLG, in conjunction with the student’s Team, will periodically assess for each child the appropriate balance between supported inclusion or integration and individualized programming at NLG’s site.

NLG shall ensure that the student, his or her parent(s) or guardian, the placing agency and others, as appropriate, are provided reasonable opportunity to participate in the admission process and decisions. Where such involvement of the student’s parent(s) or guardian is not possible, the reasons for their nonparticipation shall be recorded. Just as we desire active family participation in the admission process, we also strongly encourage family participation in the child’s educational programming throughout his or her tenure at NLG.

An admissions study shall be completed before a student is accepted into the program. This admissions study shall contain information regarding a student’s referral, all relevant intake data considered and reason for accepting or declining the student. Relevant information to be provided to NLG includes, as applicable: a diagnostic evaluation (preferably performed by a neuropsychologist); prior Individual Education Plans or Service plans and progress reports; graphical summaries from prior Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs; existing or past behavior plans and summarized behavior data; and, any relevant reports from treating clinicians, including: behavior analysts; psychologists; and, physicians, including pediatricians, neurologists, psychopharmacologists, and psychiatrists.

NLG also requires a complete placement history and permission to contact any prior placement.

In a manner appropriate to the student’s maturity and ability to understand, NLG will make clear its expectations and requirements for behavior, and provide the student referred for placement with an explanation of the program’s criteria for successful participation and completion of the program.

When a student who presents a clear and present danger to self and/or others is to be admitted, NLG will extend a provisional admission. During the provisional admission, and prior to the commencement of services at our center, a functional assessment (or a safety assessment, as indicated) of the student’s behavior will be conducted by NLG at the student’s current placement or home. From this assessment, a behavior plan will be developed and reviewed with the student’s Team. Admission becomes complete when a mutually agreeable behavior (or safety) plan is in place. The plan may include additional staffing which would increase the tuition for the student. This plan will be periodically reviewed and adjusted based on the student’s level of need. NLG may initiate this functional assessment and behavior planning process for any student during their tenure at NLG if the student exhibits behaviors that present a clear and present danger to self and others.

NLG will utilize the student’s existing IEP upon the student’s admission into the program. NLG will work with this IEP for the first 6 to 8 weeks of admission. After this period, NLG reserves the right, to review and, if necessary, revise the student’s IEP with the Team so that NLG can satisfactorily deliver the educational services that will enable the student to achieve his or her goals.

Upon request, NLG will provide a written statement of the reason for the refusal of admission to the parent(s) and/or the referring agency.

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Admissions Procedures

NLG does not have a list of students waiting for admission whereby the next student on the list is the next student to be accepted. Rather, NLG follows the procedural steps listed below:

1. Parent(s)/guardian(s) or school districts interested in pursuing admission for students are invited to visit our program. If they remain interested in seeking admission, parents and/or school personnel are asked to complete a written application, and send, as available, a diagnostic evaluation and a current IEP and progress reports.
    
2. Parent(s)/guardian(s) or school personnel are also asked to submit a current videotape of the applicant.
    
3. When an opening becomes available, NLG will review current applications and videotapes to determine which applicants appear to be appropriate for the particular opening.
    
4. For applicants who appear to be appropriate for admission, parent(s)/guardian(s) and school personnel are invited to return to NLG with the student in order for NLG personnel to interview the parent(s)/guardian(s), assess the child, and receive evidence of ability to fund the program. In addition, NLG would observe the child in their current placement. Parent(s)/guardian(s) and school districts will also be asked to provide additional information regarding the student. This information will include, as is relevant: graphical summaries from prior Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs; existing or past behavior plans and summarized behavior data; school or EI reports; and, any relevant reports from treating clinicians, including: behavior analysts; psychologists; and, physicians, including pediatricians, neurologists, psychopharmacologists, and psychiatrists. NLG also requires a complete placement history and permission to contact any prior placement.
    
5. Admission to the program is offered to the student who seems best suited to the particular opening.
    
6. Once a student is accepted into the program, the parent(s)/guardian(s) and local school district are granted access to all policies and procedures of Nashoba Learning Group. These policies and procedures can be reviewed while at the school or can be requested in writing to the Executive Director.