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PROGRAMS FOR ELIGIBLE OR PROTECTED
HANDICAPPED STUDENTS Special Education (Chapter 14) Programs for Eligible or Protected Handicapped Students The Delaware Valley School District (DVSD) is dedicated to providing each student with the most comprehensive and complete education. All children do not learn in the same manner. Some children may need individualized education to help them function fully. Educators have the responsibility to identify exceptional children, when needed. The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of available special education services and programs and how to request these services and programs. Special education refers to specially-designed instruction to meet the needs of an exceptional student. The term “exceptional” includes children with a physical, emotional or mental disability. The law requires a series of procedures to be followed by a school district when dealing with potential special education students. Parents have the right to be partners with school officials in all aspects of that process from the evaluation stage to the decision over which programs, services and placement are suited to meet their child’s needs. The complete process involves:
Under state and federal law, an exceptional child is entitled to an appropriate program of special education, an educational program that is assigned to meet the child’s individual needs. An appropriate program is made of “specially-designed instruction” and the “related services” needed to help the child benefit from that instruction. The program can be provided in a regular or special class depending on the child’s needs. The law requires that the educational program be fitted to the child, not the child to a preconceived program. Therefore, students receive services based on their needs, not on their diagnosed exceptionality. Presently, the DVSD is operating the following programs:
Learning Support - for exceptional students whose primary identified need is academic learning. Emotional Support - for exceptional students whose primary need is for emotional support. The focus is primarily on behavior management. Speech/Language Support - for exceptional students who are speech and language impaired. Multiple Disabilities Support - for exceptional students who are multi-handicapped. The focus is on daily living, self-help and independent living. Autistic Support - for exceptional students who are autistic. The focus is primarily to develop daily living skills. Life Skills Support - for exceptional students who require emphasis on development of functional life skills. Occupational, physical, hearing and vision therapies are provided within each building through contract with the Colonial Intermediate Unit #20 (CIU #20) for those students who qualify for these services. Screening - Kindergarten screening activities include a review of informal social and health history, developmental areas, functional vision and hearing, and speech and language. Additional hearing and vision screenings are conducted on a routine basis during the school year. Dates and locations for schools can be found on the school calendar. Further screenings are conducted through the Instructional Support Teams in each school throughout the year for any students that may be in need of special education services. Parents who wish to request screening and evaluation for their child may do so by contacting the principal or counselor in their child’s school building. All information gathered through the screening and/or evaluation process is considered under Section 438 of the General Education Provisions Act. Preschool Children with Special Needs (Age 3 to School Age) – Parents who have questions regarding their child’s seeing, hearing, learning, talking, moving about, manipulating objects, understanding, showing emotions, getting along with others, playing with toys, taking care of himself/herself should phone Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 (CIU20), which offers early intervention programs and services for children with special needs. CIU #20 can provide information, screening, evaluation, programs, therapy, parent support, and referral to community agencies at no cost to the parent. For further information phone CIU #20 at (610) 252-5550.
Protected Handicapped Students (Chapter 15) In compliance with state and federal law, the Delaware Valley School District will provide to each protected handicapped student without discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services or accommodations which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities. In order to qualify as a protected handicapped student the child must be school age with a physical or mental disability which substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program. These services and protections for “protected handicapped students” are distinct from those applicable to all eligible or exceptional students enrolled (or seeking enrollment) in special education programs.
Gifted Education (Chapter 16) The Delaware Valley School District provides Gifted Education services to school-age students identified as gifted who require these services to reach their potential. In compliance with state and federal law, notice is hereby given by the Delaware Valley School District that it conducts ongoing identification activities as a part of its school program for the purpose of identifying students who may be in need of Gifted Education services. If your child is identified by the district as possibly in need of such services, you will be notified of applicable procedures. If you believe that your school-age child may be in need of Gifted Education services, you may request screening and evaluation at any time whether or not your child is enrolled in the district’s public school program. Requests for evaluation and screening are to be made in writing to the building principal or school counselor.
Confidentiality: All information gathered about your child is subject to the confidentiality provisions contained in federal and state law. The district has policies and procedures in effect governing the collection, maintenance, destruction and disclosure to third parties of this information.
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The Delaware Valley School District is dedicated to providing each student with the most comprehensive and complete education. All children do not learn in the same manner. Some children may need individualized education to help them function fully. Educators have the responsibility to identify exceptional children, determine if there is a need for special education, and provide individualized programs when needed. The purpose of this section is to assist parents/guardians and concerned citizens in understanding special education programming. What is Special Education? The term “special education” refers to specially-designed instruction to meet the needs of an exceptional student. What is an exceptional student? The term “exceptional” includes children with a physical, emotional, or mental disability. A complete listing of the definitions and the testing/evaluation needed to determine if a child meets the definition can be found in the IDEA Part 300 Federal Regulations 300.7 What happens when a student is thought to be exceptional? The law requires a series of procedures to be followed by a school district when dealing with potential special education students. Parents have the right to be partners with school officials in all aspects of that process from the evaluation stage to the decision over which programs, services and placement procedures are suited to meet their child’s needs. The complete procedure involves:
If a student is determined to be exceptional and in need of special education services, where will they take place? Under state and federal law, an exceptional child is entitled to an appropriate program of special education or training – that is, an educational program which is designed to meet the child’s individual educational needs. An appropriate program is made up of “specially-designed instruction” and the “related services” needed to help the child benefit from that instruction. The program can be provided in a regular or special class or school, depending on the child’s needs. The law requires that the educational program be fitted to the child, not the child to a preconceived program. Therefore, students receive services based on their needs not on their diagnosed exceptionality. What types of special education programs are presently operated by the Delaware Valley School District?
If a parent has concerns regarding their child’s regular or special education program, what should they do? That parent should contact the school directly and schedule a conference with the classroom or special education teacher to discuss any concerns, questions, etc. Additionally, the principal and/or guidance counselor at each school are available to assist any parent with the educational planning for their child. For more information, please contact: Maria Farrell Special Education
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