Calling upon the School District of Philadelphia to proceed expeditiously in identifying, evaluating and providing individualized services to children, who are identified by family members, educational experts and other persons in contact with the children, with risk factors for developmental delay.

WHEREAS, There are a number of students in the School District of Philadelphia who are in need of specialized educational services because they have risk factors for developmental delay; and

WHEREAS, Risk factors for developmental delay include such factors as intrauterine drug use, premature birth, and teen pregnancy; and

WHEREAS, There have been complaints that when requests for such services are made by parents or teachers, the process for obtaining the necessary services is often long and drawn out, and services are not implemented until a good portion of the school term has passed; and

WHEREAS, The sooner an eligible student is identified, evaluated and receives individualized educational services, the more likely he or she is to achieve academically; and

WHEREAS, The regulations of the Commonwealth Department of Education require that timelines be met with respect to the initial student evaluation and implementation of an individualized education plan (IEP); for example, an evaluation report must be provided to parents no later than 60 school days after the school receives written parental consent; an IEP must be developed within 30 calendar days after issuance of the written report; and an IEP must be implemented, as soon as possible, but no later than 10 school days after its completion; and

WHEREAS, State timelines are outer time limits and do not prevent school districts from proceeding more promptly; and

WHEREAS, It is essential that schools begin the evaluation process and develop an IEP, as quickly as possible, so that eligible students receive the necessary services without undue delay and are enabled to participate fully in the academic process; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the School District of Philadelphia proceed expeditiously in identifying, evaluating and providing individualized services to children, who are identified by family members, educational experts and other persons in contact with the children, with risk factors for developmental delay.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the School District of Philadelphia at 440 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130.

End