Special Education Services

Special education is a range of services and supports designed to help students with disabilities access their education and succeed in school. These services are individualized to meet each student's unique strengths, needs, and learning goals, helping them make meaningful progress both academically and socially.

If you have concerns about your child’s learning, communication, behavior, social-emotional development, or other areas that may be affecting success in school, we encourage you to talk with your child’s teacher or principal.

School staff can work with you to review your concerns and determine whether:

• Additional classroom supports may be helpful
• Interventions should be provided through the school’s support system
• An evaluation may be appropriate to determine eligibility for special education services

A referral for an evaluation may be made by a parent/guardian, teacher, or other school staff member when there are concerns about a student’s educational progress or development.

Once a referral is received, the school team will review available information and discuss next steps with the family. Depending on the student's needs, the team may:

• Review academic, behavioral, and developmental data
• Recommend supports through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process
• Request additional information from parents or teachers
• Proceed with a Permission to Evaluate (PTE) to determine whether the student is eligible for special education services

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written plan developed to meet the unique educational needs of a student who qualifies for special education services.

The IEP outlines:

• A student’s strengths and areas of need
• Annual educational goals
• Special education services and supports
• Accommodations and modifications
• How progress will be measured and reported

Parents and guardians are important members of the IEP team and play an active role in developing, reviewing, and updating the plan to support their child’s success.

The IEP team meets at least once each year to review your child’s progress and update the IEP as needed.

In addition, a reevaluation is conducted periodically, or more often if the school team or parents believe additional information is needed. Reevaluations help ensure that your child’s services, supports, and educational program continue to meet their needs.

Parents are important members of the IEP team and are invited to participate in all meetings and decisions regarding their child’s education.

Not necessarily. Whenever appropriate, students receive special education services and supports in the general education classroom alongside their peers.

The IEP team determines the most appropriate educational setting based on each student’s individual needs. The team works to provide services in the least restrictive environment (LRE), which means students are included in general education settings as much as possible while still receiving the support they need to be successful.

Parents and guardians are important partners in the special education process. Your involvement helps ensure that your child receives the support they need to be successful in school.

You can stay involved by:

• Attending meetings and participating in educational planning
• Communicating regularly with teachers, case managers, and school staff
• Reviewing progress reports and updates
• Sharing information about your child’s strengths, interests, and needs
• Asking questions and providing feedback

Parents have important rights under federal and Pennsylvania special education laws. These rights help ensure that families are active participants in decisions about their child’s education.

Your rights include:

• Participating in educational planning and decision-making
• Receiving prior written notice before certain school actions are taken
• Providing consent for evaluations and services
• Reviewing your child’s educational records
• Accessing procedural safeguards that explain your legal rights and protections

📄 A copy of the Procedural Safeguards Notice is available and is also provided electronically following IEP meetings through the district’s electronic signature system.