The school states that it does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, disability, or age in its programs and activities and that Title IX applies to sex-based discrimination in education programs and employment. The policy defines sexual harassment, requires a Title IX Coordinator, provides supportive measures, establishes formal complaint procedures, uses the preponderance of the evidence standard, permits appeals, prohibits retaliation, and requires confidentiality and training.

Title IX Coordinator

Edit this section with your final board-approved Title IX coordinator information:

• Name/Title: Dr. India R. Ford
• Mailing Address: 1975 Noble Road, East Cleveland, Ohio 44112
• Phone: 216-424-5161
• Email:India.Ford@t2academy.org

Key Provisions

• Any person may report sexual harassment; formal complaints may be filed by a complainant or the Title IX Coordinator.
• Supportive measures may include counseling, deadline extensions, schedule changes, and restricted contact.
• Appeals may be based on procedural irregularity, new evidence, or conflict of interest/bias.
• Retaliation is prohibited.

The school states that it does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Employees or students who discriminate against another employee or student are subject to disciplinary action.

Students may engage in religious expression in homework, artwork, and oral or written assignments, and work is graded by ordinary academic standards rather than religious viewpoint. The school also allows student religious expression before, during, and after school to the same extent as secular expression and provides equal facility access to religious student groups.

Prohibitions Included in the Policy

• The school shall not require employees, applicants, or students to affirm or opine about political movements or ideology.
• The school shall not use ideological commitments as academic or employment evaluation criteria.
• The policy preserves academic freedom, compliance with law, subject-matter expertise review, and character education programs.

Students may receive up to three religious expression days each school year for sincerely held religious beliefs and practices. The policy provides alternative academic accommodations, prohibits academic penalties for approved absences, and requires annual notice and website posting.

Highlights

• Up to three approved religious expression days per year.
• No academic penalty for approved absences.
• Students may still participate in interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities on approved religious expression days.
• Requests may be submitted in writing, including email, to the principal.

The attached special education model document is a comprehensive ODEW model policy framework. It addresses Free Appropriate Public Education, Child Find, confidentiality, procedural safeguards, evaluations, IEP development and implementation, student discipline, nonpublic school services, transportation, and CCEIS. It also explains that agencies adopting the model remain responsible for complying with IDEA, Ohio Operating Standards, the Ohio Revised Code, and the Ohio Administrative Code.

Major Sections Included

• Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
• Child Find
• Confidentiality and FERPA-related protections
• Procedural safeguards and parental rights
• Evaluation and reevaluation procedures
• Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Special education discipline procedures
• Nonpublic school provisions
• Transportation as a related service
• Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS)

Suggested School Note

If your board has formally adopted the ODEW model special education policies, keep this section as written. If your board adopted a customized version, update this summary and the PDF link accordingly.

The school commits to helping identify, locate, and evaluate children from birth through age 21 who may have disabilities and may need special education and related services. This includes homeless, highly mobile, migrant, advancing, and nonpublic school students.

Referral & Evaluation Overview

• Parents, school staff, relatives, agencies, and concerned citizens may refer a child.
• Free testing is available to determine whether a special need exists.
• Within 30 days of a request, the school must either obtain parental consent for evaluation or issue prior written notice declining evaluation.
• The school reports required disproportionality data annually.

The school reviews its career advising policy at least every two years and posts it on the school website. The plan includes grade-level career connections, annual student advising in grades 6–12, additional support for at-risk students, staff training, pathway information, documentation, and transition supports.

Policy Highlights

• Each student in grades 6–12 meets at least annually to discuss academic and career pathway opportunities.
• At-risk students receive interventions and a Student Success Plan.
• Families are invited to assist in Student Success Plan development.
• Students receive information about credentials, degrees, College Credit Plus, joint programming, and methods to offset postsecondary costs.

The Parents Bill of Rights affirms the fundamental right of parents to be informed and involved in decisions regarding their child's education, health, safety, and well-being. The policy ensures that parents have access to educational and health records, receive notification of significant changes affecting their child, and have opportunities to review certain instructional materials. It also outlines procedures for addressing parental concerns while promoting transparency, communication, and collaboration between families and the school.