(1) The district school board of every school district operating any elementary schools may establish a child development specialist program.
(2) If a district school board establishes a child development specialist program, the school district must meet the following requirements:
(a) The school district shall submit a written plan describing the program to the Department of Education and the program must be approved by the department.
(b) Upon approval of a program, a school district shall submit child development specialist candidate applications for department approval.
(c) The school district shall conduct an annual review of the program and submit an updated plan to the department for reauthorization of the program.
(d) Each child development specialist employed by a school district shall complete an annual evaluation of the specialist’s child development plan to be included with the school district’s updated plan.
(3) The department shall review the plans annually.
(4) School districts may provide the child development specialist program by contract with qualified state or local programs. [Formerly 343.125; 1995 c.660 §21; 1999 c.871 §§2,3; 2007 c.858 §17]
Note: The amendments to 329.255 by section 17, chapter 858, Oregon Laws 2007, first apply to the 2008-2009 school year. See section 41, chapter 858, Oregon Laws 2007. The text that applies prior to the 2008-2009 school year is set forth for the user’s convenience.
329.255. (1) The district school board of every school district operating any elementary schools may make the services of a child development specialist available to the pupils enrolled in the elementary schools and their families.
(2) A child development specialist shall provide primary prevention services directly or in cooperation with others in settings in addition to the school setting:
(a) To pupils enrolled in the elementary school, with priority given at the primary level, including kindergarten, to assist them in developing positive attitudes toward themselves and others in relation to life career roles and to ensure that appropriate assessment and screening procedures that recognize academic and individual differences are provided for the early identification of talents and strengths on which to base a positive learning experience for each child.
(b) To the professional staff of the elementary school to assist them in early identification of pupils enrolled therein with learning or developmental problems.
(c) To parents of pupils enrolled in elementary schools to assist them in understanding their children’s unique aptitudes and needs and to aid in relating home, school and neighborhood experiences.
(d) To refer pupils enrolled in the elementary school and their families to appropriate state or local agencies for additional assistance as needed.
(e) To coordinate resources available through the community and the school.
(3) The district school board of every school district operating any elementary schools may make the services of a child development specialist, as described in subsection (2) of this section available to children four years of age or younger and their families residing in its district. If such children need assessment, the child development specialist shall ensure that appropriate assessment and screening procedures that recognize academic and individual differences are provided for early identification of barriers or needs that prevent successful transition to early education programs.
(4) School districts may provide the services authorized or required under this section by contract with qualified state or local programs.
Section: Previous 329.235 329.237 329.237 329.240 329.245 329.245 329.250 329.255 329.260 329.265 329.275 329.280 329.290 329.300 329.310 NextLast modified: August 7, 2008