Students become eligible for special education services through an evaluation process called multidisciplinary team (MDT) evaluation. An eligible student has one or more of the thirteen disabilities required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Pennsylvania regulations and evidences a need for special education services. Special education and related services may be provided within the regular education setting or in special class settings, such as resource rooms.
The disability categories are:
- Autism
- Deaf-blindness
- Deafness
- Emotional Disturbance
- Hearing Impairment
- Intellectual Disability
- Multiple Disabilities
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairment
- Specific Learning Disability
- Speech or Language Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Visual Impairment including Blindness
Once a student is found to be eligible for special education, the evaluation results documented by a Comprehensive Evaluation Report (CER), an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed by the student's team, including the student's parents/guardians.
A second law, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1983, requires reasonable accommodations for students with physical or mental conditions that significantly impair learning or other major life activities. Some students require the anti-discrimination protection of Section 504 without needing the special education of the IDEA.
The district's special education program is supervised by Mrs. Janet Pelone, Director of Student Services:
(215) 529-2056 or Email: [email protected]