(a) The department shall implement a program to integrate individuals with exceptional needs placed in nonpublic, nonsectarian schools into public schools, as appropriate. Under the program, a pupil placed in a nonpublic, nonsectarian school and each individual who has the right to make educational decisions for the pupil shall be informed of all his or her rights relating to the educational placement of the pupil. Existing dispute resolution procedures involving public school enrollment or attendance shall be explained to a pupil placed in a nonpublic, nonsectarian school in an age- and developmentally appropriate manner. The Foster Child Ombudsman shall disseminate the information on education rights to every foster child residing in a licensed children’s institution or foster family home.

(b) Following the development of the next statewide assessment contract, the department shall submit to the Legislature a report on the academic progress of pupils attending nonpublic, nonsectarian schools serving individuals with exceptional needs. Using the results of the two most recent years of the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program and the California Alternative Performance Assessment, the report shall summarize by district the achievement of all pupils attending a nonpublic, nonsectarian school. The department shall ensure that the report does not violate the confidentiality of individual pupil scores. In addition, the report shall include an academic performance index score for pupils attending nonpublic, nonsectarian schools for each district using the same procedures as under Section 52052.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 22, Sec. 49. Effective January 1, 2006.)