special education services

The Special Education Department provides programs and services in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and PA Chapter 14 Special Education Program for students with disabilities.

Special education services are provided according to the primary educational needs of the child, not the category of disability.

If a student in Young Scholars is found to be eligible for special education services, a Team, which includes, at minimum, the student’s parents, a special education teacher, an administrator, and a regular education teacher must meet to develop the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) within 30 calendar days of the evaluation report. The IEP lists the student’s goals and the services the school will provide to the student to help meet those goals.

Two criteria exist for a student to qualify for special education services, both of which must be met:

The student must meet one of the 13 disability categories defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004 (IDEA).

The student must need special education; that is, the child requires specifically designed instruction to receive educational benefits.

According to 34 CFR § 300.8 (related to a Child with a disability), the 13 categories are:

Intellectual Disability
Hearing impairment
Speech or language impairment
Visual impairment (including blindness)
Emotional disturbance
Orthopedic impairment
Autism
Traumatic brain injury
Other health impairment
Specific learning disability
Deafness
Deaf-blindness
Multiple disabilities
Emotional disturbance is defined at 34 CFR § 300.8(c)(4) as An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors. An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers. Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.
A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression. A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.