Section 22-13-5 - Special education.
22-13-5. Special education.
School districts shall provide special education and related services appropriate to meet the needs of all children requiring special education and related services. Regulations and standards shall be developed and established by the state board [department] for the provision of special education in the schools and classes of the public school system in the state and in all institutions wholly or partly supported by the state. The state board shall monitor and enforce the regulations and standards. School districts shall also provide services for three-year-old and four-year-old preschool children with disabilities, unless the parent or guardian chooses not to enroll his child. If a child receiving services in the department of health's family, infant, toddler program has his third birthday during the school year, the child's parents shall have the option of having the child complete the school year in the family, infant, toddler program or enrolling the child in the public school's preschool program. A child with a disability who enrolls in the public school's preschool program and who has his third birthday during a school year may receive special education and related services from the beginning of that school year. Services for students age three through twenty-one may include, but are not limited to, evaluating particular needs, providing learning experiences that develop cognitive and social skills, arranging for or providing related services as defined by the state board and providing parent education. The services may be provided by certified school personnel or contracted for with other community agencies and shall be provided in age-appropriate, integrated settings, including home, daycare centers, headstart programs, schools or community-based settings.