IDEA B FAQ - Policy Revision to Age Eligibility - September 1, 2023
Age of Eligibility Policy Notification Letter - English and Spanish
Behavioral Supports

Public Notice

ANNUAL PUBLIC NOTICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AND PROGRAMS, SERVICES FOR PROTECTED HANDICAPPED STUDENTS, AND SERVICES FOR GIFTED STUDENTS

In compliance with state and federal law, notice is hereby given by the Parkland School District (PSD) 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 special education supports and services (PA Code Chapter 14), services via section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (PA Code Chapter 15), and/or gifted education services (PA Code Chapter 16).

Special Education Services:

If your child is identified by the district as possibly in need of such services, you will be notified of applicable procedures. Individualized services and programs are available for children who are determined to need specially designed instruction due to the following conditions:

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.

Section 504/Chapter 15 Services:

Parkland School District will provide 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 co- and non-curricular 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.

Chapter 16:

While gifted is not included as one of the disabilities categories under the IDEA 2004, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education’s regulations as set forth in Chapter 16, Special Education for Gifted Students, provide that gifted students are considered to be children with exceptionalities and are in need of specially designed instruction.

If you believe that your school age child may be in need of special education services and related programs, Section 504/Chapter 15 services, Chapter 16 services, screening, and evaluation processes are available to you at no cost, upon written request. Whether or not your child is enrolled in the district’s public school program.

Consent

School entities cannot proceed with an evaluation, or with the initial provision of special education, Section 504/Chapter 15, Chapter 16, and related services, without the written consent of the parents. For additional information related to consent, please refer to the Procedural Safeguards Notice which can be found at the PaTTAN website, www.Pattan.net

Requests for school-age evaluation and screening should be made in writing to the Director of Student Services, 1210 Springhouse Road, Allentown, PA 18104.

Preschool Services and Programs

Children age three through the age of admission to first grade are eligible for Early Intervention services if they have developmental delays and, as a result, need Special Education and related services. A child is considered to have a developmental delay when one of the following exists: (i) The child’s score, on a developmental assessment device, on an assessment instrument which yields a score in months, indicates that the child is delayed by 25% of the child’s chronological age in one or more developmental areas; or (ii) The child is delayed in one or more of the developmental areas, as documented by test performance of 1.5 standard deviations below the mean on standardized tests. Developmental areas include cognitive, communicative, physical, social/emotional and self-help.

Parents of young children with concerns about 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 contact the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit – Project Connect at (610) 769-4111.  Project Connect can provide information to parents about evaluations, programs, therapy, parent supports, and referral to community agencies at no cost to the parent.

Potential Signs of Developmental Delays

There are several general "warning signs" of possible delay. These include:

Behavioral Warning Signs

·       Does not pay attention or stay focused on an activity for as long a time as other children of the same age

·       Focuses on unusual objects for long periods of time; enjoys this more than interacting with others

·       Avoids or rarely makes eye contact with others

·       Gets unusually frustrated when trying to do simple tasks that most children of the same age can do

·       Shows aggressive behaviors and acting out and appears to be very stubborn compared with other children

·       Displays violent behaviors on a daily basis

·       Stares into space, rocks body, or talks to self more often than other children of the same age

·       Does not seek love and approval from a caregiver or parent

Gross Motor Warning Signs

·       Has stiff arms and/or legs

·       Has a floppy or limp body posture compared to other children of the same age

·       Uses one side of body more than the other

·       Has a very clumsy manner compared with other children of the same age

Vision Warning Signs

·       Seems to have difficulty following objects or people with her eyes

·       Rubs eyes frequently

·       Turns, tilts or holds head in a strained or unusual position when trying to look at an object

·       Seems to have difficulty finding or picking up small objects dropped on the floor (after the age of 12 months)

·       Has difficulty focusing or making eye contact

·       Closes one eye when trying to look at distant objects

·       Eyes appear to be crossed or turned

·       Brings objects too close to eyes to see

·       One or both eyes appear abnormal in size or coloring

Hearing Warning Signs

·       Talks in a very loud or very soft voice

·       Seems to have difficulty responding when called from across the room, even when it is for something interesting

·       Turns body so that the same ear is always turned toward sound

·       Has difficulty understanding what has been said or following directions after once she has turned 3 years of age

·       Doesn't startle to loud noises

·       Ears appear small or deformed

·       Fails to develop sounds or words that would be appropriate at her age