“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”

 –Helen Keller

As educational leaders, it is our responsibility to help prepare students for the world outside of Young Scholars, not only academically, but emotionally as well. As a team, we must provide our students with numerous opportunities to experience beautiful things.

      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: