Services and Policies

Child Find Notice   |   English as a Second Lan guage   |   Gifted Education   |   Services for the Handicapped   

Student Records   |   Policy Parent Training and Information   |   Special Education Services


Change in Age of Eligibility for Free and Appropriate Public Education

Special Education Plan

Every three years, the Pennsylvania Department of Education requires school districts to submit a formal Special Education Plan to ensure programs in schools are appropriate, compliant, and effective.  Please see the attached document that is scheduled to be approved by the Carlynton Board of Directors on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

Special Education Remote Learning Plan

     CLICK HERE
to access the remote learning plan

Child Find Notice
     
CLICK HERE to access the District Child Find and Right to Know notice.

      CLICK HERE to access the Child Find Annual Notification.

PASA 1.0 Percent Participation Threshold Justification

 The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires Pennsylvania to ensure that the total number of students assessed in each subject using the PASA does not exceed one percent of the total number of all students in the state assessed on the statewide assessments. Each local educational agency (LEA) must complete and submit the PASA 1.0 Percent Participation Threshold Justification to Bureau of Special Education if it anticipates that more than 1.0 percent of its students enrolled in grades 3-8 and 11 will be assessed using the PASA. A list of LEAs who anticipate exceeding the threshold will be made publicly available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) website, in accordance with 34 CFR 200.6 (c)(3) regulations. LEAs must also make the document publicly available upon request, removing any personally identifiable information. The Carlynton School District anticipates exceeding the 1.0 percent threshold for PASA participation for the 2020-2021 school year testing cycle. The necessary justification information has been submitted to the Bureau of Special Education. Questions on the Carlynton School District participation rates should be directed to Mrs. Sara Hoffman.
 

English as a Second Language

The ESL program is designed to provide non-native English-speaking students with the language skills they need to participate effectively in content area classes. In order to achieve this, ESL instruction addresses the ESL and Pennsylvania Academic Standards in Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening to facilitate participation. Another primary objective is to provide a source of support as the student seeks to understand and adapt to the new cultural and academic setting. ESL is a contracted service through the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Responses to a Home Language Survey, given to the family upon registration, determine if an evaluation will be requested. Results of the evaluation, determine if services will be provided. The program helps to ensure the student’s full access to the range of educational opportunities available in the school.

Gifted Education Services

Referrals for Gifted Multidisciplinary Evaluation (GMDE) can be made by the student's teacher or parent. Parents may, in writing, request a GMDE once per school year.

As a first step in District screening, the Intervention Planning Team (IPT) reviews group-based data to determine students who may display gifted characteristics. The second step is a more intense review of various student performance data, such as standardized and criterion referenced test results, curriculum-based assessments and rating scales as well as parent information that compare the potentially gifted student with the normal peer population. After this more intense review, and after signed parent permission is received by the District, students who are thought to be gifted are referred for a GMDE that includes an IQ test and valid measures to assess academic functioning, learning strengths, and educational needs. After the GMDE is completed, a Gifted Written Report (GWR) is compiled that recommends whether a student is gifted and is in need of specially designed instruction. Then, a Gifted Individualized Education Program (GIEP) team meeting is convened to determine whether the student is gifted. If the student is deemed to be mentally gifted, a GIEP is developed. Finally, a Notice of Recommended Assignment (NORA) is presented to the parents.

The Gifted Support program challenges students in non-conventional areas. Extensive work in problem solving is introduced, coupled with creativity. The classroom provides an intellectual outlet for students with numerous enrichment activities and challenges to engage critical-thinking skills. Students in the gifted education program are encouraged to compete in area competitions such as the Invention Convention, Future Problem Solving, Calcu-solve, Carnegie Science Center Science Bowl, The Literature Festival and the University of Pittsburgh's Model United Nations.

Services for Protected Handicapped Students (Chapter 15)

Equal Opportunities for Handicapped Students
In compliance with state and federal law, the Carlynton 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 of 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.

For further information, on the Gifted evaluation procedures and provisions of services to protected handicapped students, contact the Director of Special Education and Student Services at 412-429-2500, ext. 3309.

Links to the Student Records Policy

Public Records Policy

Exempted Records Policy

Disclosure / Production of Certain Records Policy

Fees for Public Record Requests

Parent Training and Information

Dear Parent/Guardian,

As a parent of a student that receives special education services, you play a very important role in your child's education. This site provides important information to assist you in making educational decisions for your child.

For information about parent training opportunities provided in the district, please click on one of the training links below. The Pennsylvania Training & Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) also provides information about special education for school age children and training opportunities that parents can attend. PaTTAN serves as a guide for parents in understanding the legal requirements for special education and for providing resources to assist you in supporting your child. You can access the PaTTAN website by clicking here.

Please send an email to me or call the office if you have additional ideas or requests for parent training. We will review all requests and attempt to provide trainings in the district that are of general interest to parents.

Support for Homeless Families

Age Youth
You may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.
If you live in any of the following situations:
  • A shelter.
  • A motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation.
  • A car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station.
  • Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship.
As an eligible student you have the right to:
-Receive a free, appropriate public education.
-Enroll in school immediately, even if you lack documents normally required for enrollment.
-Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
-Enroll in the local school or continue attending your school of origin (the school you attended when permanently housed or the school in which you were last enrolled), if that is your preference and is feasible.
-If the school district believes that the school selected is not in your best interest, the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.
-Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
-Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your needs as a student.
 
For more information go to:   directory.center-school.org/homeless or contact Bethany Mudd, Home & School Visitor 412-429-2500 *2918 [email protected].us 
Toll free Helpline number:  1-800-308-2145
State Coordinator: 717-772-2066 

Additional Helpful Links

Parent Training Information

PATTAN - Training calendar
Allegheny Intermediate Unit #3 - Training Calendar

Transition

PA Intermediate Unit 3

PATTAN—Pennsylvania Training and Technical Network

Special Education Network

Wright's Law

Job Tips

PA Notice of Parents' Rights
Pennsylvania Department of Education—Special Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Parent Education Network
Special Education in PA—FAQ
SERI—Special Education Resources on the Internet

The Multidisciplinary Evaluation (MDE) is a process to collect information to determine if a child has a disability and needs special education, and if so, the types of services needed.

Prior to an MDE, the District must obtain permission via the Permission to Evaluate form. Before an evaluation can occur, the form must be signed by the parent or legal guardian.

Multidisciplinary evaluations are coordinated by a certified school psychologist. Team members including the parents, classroom teachers, principal, school psychologist, persons familiar with the student's educational experience and cultural background, and other pertinent individuals that work with the student provide information as a part of the evaluation. The evaluation is a thorough investigation of the student's academic functioning, adaptive and social behavior, weaknesses, strengths, and response to intervention. All this information is compiled into an Evaluation Report (ER) which recommends whether a child has one or more disabilities, whether or not the child requires special education and the type of supports and services that the student needs. The ER may recommend that a child is not exceptional and therefore does not need special education services. The report will include changes that may be made in the regular classroom to improve the student’s achievement. All members of the MDT, including the parents, are provided with a copy of the report.

Parents who are concerned that their child is eligible and in need of special education may request screening or a multidisciplinary team evaluation of their child through a written request to a member of the school staff – such as the classroom teacher, building principal, or school psychologist. Communication with parents and students shall be in English or the native language of the parent.

Reevaluations for students who are eligible for special education services are completed as necessary when requested by one or more members of the IEP team and in compliance with the requirements of IDEA. Reevaluations for students with an intellectual disability are completed every two years.


Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP)

Once the IEP has been developed, a Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP) is issued to the parent. The NOREP explains the placement or class recommended for the child and explains the rights of parents. The Carlynton School District offers a continuum of educational services designed to meet the needs of eligible students. In addition, related services such as transportation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision support, deaf and hearing support, and speech and language support are available to those students who qualify.

Detailed information regarding special education procedures may be obtained by calling 412-429-2500, ext. 3309; FAX: 412-429-2504

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Bullying Prevention Resources

The district has adopted the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. Specific questions may be directed towards your building principal.

“Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself.” - Dr. Dan Olweus

School-wide Rules about Bullying:

We We will not bully others.
We We will help students who are bullied.
We We will include students who are left out.
We If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and We an adult at home

SAP (Student Assistance Program)

What is SAP? The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Student Assistance Program (SAP), which is administered by the PA Department of Education’s Division of School Options and Safety in partnership with the PA Department of Health’s Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs, and the PA Department of Public Welfare’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, is designed to assist school personnel in identifying issues including alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and mental health issues which pose a barrier to a student’s success.

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