Services for School-Age Exceptional Children
Mars Area School District provides a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to eligible students. To qualify as an eligible student, the child must be of school age, in need of specially-designed instruction, and meet eligibility criteria for one or more of the following physical or mental disabilities, as outlined in Pennsylvania State Regulations:
- 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 including Blindness.
The District uses identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents/guardians, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal laws and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. Various screening activities are conducted ongoing to identify students who may be eligible for special education. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability, and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, physical, and speech/language screening; and review by a Child Study Team, Pupil Personnel Team, or Elementary Student Assistant Program (ESAP) Team. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible for special education services, the District seeks parent/guardian consent to conduct a multi-disciplinary evaluation. Parents/guardians, who suspect that their child is eligible for special education services, may request a Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation at any time through a written request to the Director of Special Education.
Services designed to meet the needs of eligible students include the annual development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP), bi-annual or tri-annual multi-disciplinary re-evaluation, and a full continuum of services, including Itinerant, Supplemental, or Full-Time Levels of Intervention. The extent of special education services and the location for the delivery of such services are determined by the IEP team and are based on the student’s identified needs and abilities, chronological age, and the level of intensity of the specified intervention. The District also provides related services. Related services are supportive services that are required for a child to benefit from special education. Related services help students with disabilities benefit from their special education by providing extra help and support in needed areas, such as speaking or moving. Related services can include but are not limited to any of the following:
Services designed to meet the needs of eligible students include the annual development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP), bi-annual or tri-annual multi-disciplinary re-evaluation, and a full continuum of services, including Itinerant, Supplemental, or Full-Time Levels of Intervention. The extent of special education services and the location for the delivery of such services are determined by the IEP team and are based on the student’s identified needs and abilities, chronological age, and the level of intensity of the specified intervention. The District also provides related services. Related services are supportive services that are required for a child to benefit from special education. Related services help students with disabilities benefit from their special education by providing extra help and support in needed areas, such as speaking or moving. Related services can include but are not limited to any of the following:
- Assistive technology
- Counseling services
- Hearing support
- Audiology services
- Parent/guardian consultation and training
- Psychological services
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- School health services
- Speech and language services
- Social work services in school
- Vision services
- Orientation and mobility
- Special transportation
Levels of Special Education Support
- Itinerant: Special education supports and services provided by special education personnel for 20% or less of the school day
- Supplemental: Special education supports and services are provided by special education personnel for more than 20% of the day but less than 80% of the school day
- Full-Time: Special education supports and services provided by special education personnel for 80% or more of the school day
Types of Special Education Supports
- Autistic Support – address needs primarily in the areas of communication, social skills, or behaviors consistent with those of autism spectrum disorders
- Blind/Visually Impaired Support – students with the disability of visual impairment including blindness
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing Support – students with the disability of deafness or hearing impairment
- Emotional Support – services for students with a disability who require services primarily in the areas of social or emotional development or functional behavior
- Learning Support – services primarily in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, speaking, or listening skills related to academic performance
- Life Skills Support – services primarily in the areas of academic, functional, or vocational skills necessary for independent living
- Multiple Disabilities Support – students with more than one disability, the result of which is severe impairment requiring services primarily in the areas of academic, functional, or vocational skills necessary for independent living
- Physical Support – students with a physical disability who require services primarily in the areas of functional motor skill development
- Speech and Language Support – students with speech and language impairments who require services primarily in the areas of communication
Parents/guardians may obtain additional information regarding special education services and programs and parent/guardian due process rights by contacting the Director of Special Education.