Special Education

ANNOUNCEMENT: A student with a disability who turned 21 and exited during or after the 2022-2023 school term may be permitted to re-enroll until age 22 during the 2023-2024 school year. Parents/guardians and students who wish to take advantage of Act 55 should click here for more information about IDEA-B regulations.

PDE Bureau of Special Education Monitoring Letter: The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education (BSE), monitors all school districts and charter schools in the state at least once every six years to ensure that they are complying with federal and state regulations for special education. Spring-Ford Area School District will be monitored this year. As part of this monitoring, the BSE is seeking parent opinions about the special education services being provided. In addition to surveying parents, we are also interested in hearing directly from students about their educational experience.

The Spring-Ford Special Education Department is committed to meeting the diverse needs of all children. The Department's goal is to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to provide tools, guidance, supports and services necessary to ensure student success in the least restrictive environment.

SFASD offers Learning Support programs (for students with delays in reading and/or math which are significant enough to impact their regular grade level performance), Autistic Support and Emotional Support programs. Speech and Language Support is available in all district schools. Spring-Ford has access to the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, Approved Private Schools, and other local school districts for additional programs, if needed.

Early Intervention

Transitioning from Early Intervention to Spring-Ford Area School District

Spring-Ford Area School District works collaboratively with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit to support families as they transition from pre-school intervention services to school-based services during Kindergarten.

All Early Intervention meetings will be held virtually this year.

Step 1: Requirements Prior to Transition Meeting

Step 2: Transition Meeting

Step 3: Evaluation Process

Annual Public Notice of Special Education Services and Gifted Services


	Annual Public Notice of Special Education Services and Programs: This file contains the Annual Public Notice detailing how a student qualifies for special education and gifted services, programs available, the screening process, evaluation process, rights and protections of parents and confidentiality.
	Notice of Parental Rights for Gifted Students: Notice of Parental Rights for Gifted Students outlines the provisions and due process rights that apply to gifted students. Updated in 2014.

Directions for Accessing the IEP on Skyward

Gifted Education

Name	Created	Action
Gifted Education Frequently Asked Questions 2014.pdf This resource from PDE contains answers to frequently asked questions.	9/11/2014
Gifted Program Guidelines 2014.pdf This 59 page document includes all of the state regulations for gifted education.	9/11/2014
Notice of Parental Rights for Gifted Students.pdf	9/10/2014

Parental Rights & Information

Special Education Plan Report

Special Education Policies

Special Education Terms

Glossary of Terms from PDE

APPROVED SECONDARY CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM: A program that has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in accordance with applicable State Board of Education regulations governing career and technical education. (Family and Consumer Sciences programs are not included.)

CAREER AND TECHNICAL CENTER (CTC): A public school that provides career and technical education to secondary school students, out-of-school youth and adults in a geographical area comprised of and operated by one or more school districts.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION INFORMATION SYSTEM (CATS): A Pennsylvania Department of Education Career and Technical Education Information System for the purpose of approving career and technical education programs.

COMPULSORY SCHOOL AGE: The period of a child's life from the time the child enters school as a beginner which may be no later than at the age of eight (8) years, until the age of seventeen (17) years or graduation from a high school, whichever occurs first. Note: Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, the compulsory age may be no later than the age of six (6) years, until the age of eighteen (18) years or graduation from a high school, whichever occurs first. Reference: State Board of Education Regulations, Chapter 11, Section 11.

DAY TREATMENT CENTER: A nonresidential facility to which children are referred pursuant to a proceeding under 42 Pa. C.S. Chapter 63 (relating to juvenile matters). Such facilities are approved/licensed under the Department of Human Services. Chapter 3800 Regulations, Child Residential and Day Treatment Facilities, govern day treatment centers/programs.

ELEMENTARY: An instructional level that includes grades one through six.

EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT (ESSA): The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 replaced the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. It includes provisions to help ensure success for students and schools.

EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR: Special education services or related services provided outside of a standard schedule of school days within a school term, for the purpose of ensuring the provision of a free appropriate public education to an eligible student. Membership for students in extended school year programs should not be reported to Child Accounting. Reference: State Board of Education Regulations Chapter 14, Department of Education Chapter 342

GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (GED) CERTIFICATION: A high school equivalency certification obtained through achievement of satisfactory scores on comprehensive tests that measure the educational development of students who have not completed their formal high school education. Such students are issued a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma issued by the Department of Education.

INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP): The plan written by the IEP team (including parents) that specifically describes the programs and services necessary for a free appropriate public education for the eligible child.

LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY (LEA): A board of education or other legally constituted local school authority having administrative control and direction of public elementary or secondary schools in a city, county, township, school district, or political subdivision in a state, or any other public educational institution or agency having administrative control and direction of a career and technical education program. This term includes state correctional education agencies.

PLAN OF DELIVERY: Methods of instruction and technical skills development, either in a school or work setting, as outlined in the approved secondary career and technical education program. Plans may encompass either occupational (non-tech prep) or tech prep delivery.

SECONDARY: An instructional level that includes grades seven through twelve.

SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM: An instructional program that operates after the standard scheduled school year is over which is designed for students to make-up classes they did not pass, etc. Membership for students in summer school programs should not be reported to Child Accounting.

TECH PREP PROGRAM: A combined secondary and postsecondary program that leads to an associate degree or certificate and employment. It provides integration of academic and technical preparation in engineering technology; applied science; mechanical, industrial or practical art or trade; agriculture; health; or business. This includes development of competence in mathematics, science and communications through a sequential course of study.

Local Support Groups and Resources

Resources & Agencies:

►Pennsylvania Department of Education

►Montgomery County Intermediate Unit

►MCIU Right to Education Local Task Force

►Council for Exceptional Children

►PATTAN- Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network

►Center for Autism Research

►NICHCY Disabilities

►LD Online

►ASCEND Group

►Autism Society of America

►Autism Speaks

Secondary Transition

National Groups and Resources

Autism Key: The Autism Friend Finder Program is a unique system that will allow visitors to submit basic contact information through a web-based portal. The data is then shared with anyone residing within a 35-mile radius of their postal zip code. The information will allow individuals facing similar challenges to connect with others in their community.

College Resources for Students with Disabilities Guide: Reviews several technologies and advocate groups available to students who face various disabilities and includes tips and resources to help students transition from college to career.

College Guide for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students: A guide offering key strategies, resources, scholarships & more for deaf and hard of hearing students entering higher education.

The Dyslexia Solution Presents: Reading from Scratch: A complete, two-year phonics reading program for dyslectics. Also contains free information and tips.

Family & Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE): Provides families, advocates and self-advocates with information about IDEA.

How Myths About Learning Disabilities Rob Many of Their Potential to Succeed and Contribute in School and in the Workplace: This white paper details how learning disabilities rob many of their potential to succeed and contribute in school and in the workplace.

IDEA Early Childhood Policy and Practices Guide: This booklet assists early childhood general educators, early childhood special educators, related service providers, parents, administrators and others in understanding what IDEA now requires for young children with disabilities ages birth through five years old and their families.

IDEAs that Work: Preparing Children and Youth with Disabilities for Success: Provides parents and teachers access to information from research to practice initiatives that are designed to connect teachers and families with resources to assist them in supporting the academic, social, emotional and behavioral needs of students.

Identifying and Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder—A Resource for School and Home: This free online resource includes information on evaluations and school issues.

National Library Service Talking Books: A free library service available to U.S. residents and citizens living abroad whose low vision, blindness or physical handicap makes it difficult to read a standard printed page.

Understanding the Every Student Succeeds Act: This guide aims to help parents understand the flexibility provided in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and advocate for better education for their children.

Response to Intervention (RTI): A Primer for Parents: The National Association for School Psychologists has prepared this helpful guide for parents wanting to know more about RTI.

Special Connections: Connecting teachers to strategies that help students with special needs successfully access the general education curriculum.

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP): Provides extensive information on IDEA.

U.S. Department of Education, Restraint and Seclusion Resource Document: Provides information to consider when developing policies on the use of restraint and seclusion.

Wrightslaw: Provides accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.

The LD Checklist: Recognize and Respond: An interactive tool to detect potential signs of LDs or an attention issue in your child or student.

Parent's Guide to Toilet Training Special Needs Children: Special needs children can face challenges when it comes to toilet training and the role parents play in the process is invaluable. This guide provides great tips for families.

SFASD Parent Center

Welcome to Parent Center, a new series from our Special Education Department. Parent Center is a new program geared toward providing resources for parents through evening workshops, online presentations, and website resources. This month, we kick off Parent Center by meeting the Special Education department, including the new Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and Student Services, as well as our Special Education supervisors. Click here to watch.

Through monthly presentations and events, parents will be able to learn more about programs, find resources, and connect with one another.

Contact Information

Dr. Tina Giambattista
Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and Student Services

A my Hiller
Supervisor of Special Education, Grades K-3

Chris Talley
Supervisor of Special Education, Grades 4-6

K atie Davis
Supervisor of Special Education, Grades 7-9

Aimee Oblak
Supervisor of Special Education, Grades 10-12