• Orthopedic impairment
• Other health impairment
• Specific learning disability
• Speech or language impairment
• Traumatic brain injury
The district engages in 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 benefits and student progress.
To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. 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, Multi-Tiered System of Supports( MTSS) Team, or Elementary Student Assistance 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 multidisciplinary evaluation.
Parents / guardians who suspect that their child is eligible for special education services may request a multidisciplinary evaluation at any time through a written request to the director of special education and pupil services.
Services designed to meet the needs of eligible students include the annual development of an Individualized Education Program( IEP), biannual or triannual multidisciplinary re-evaluation, and a full continuum of services, which include itinerant, supplemental, or full-time levels of support. 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 required for the student to benefit from the special education program.
Parents / guardians may obtain additional information regarding special education services and programs and parental due process rights by contacting the director of special education and pupil services at( 412) 967-2435, or at Fox Chapel Area School District, 611 Field Club Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
Section 504 – Chapter 15
In compliance with state and federal law, the school district will provide to each protected handicapped student, without discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services, or accommodations that are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities. A protected handicapped student must be school age with a physical or mental disability that substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program. You may request screening and evaluation for Chapter 15 services at any time, regardless of whether your child is enrolled in the district’ s public school program. Requests for evaluation and screening are to be made in writing to: Special Education and Pupil Services Department, Fox Chapel Area School District, 611 Field Club Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
Gifted Education – Chapter 16
In compliance with state law, services designed to meet the unique needs of gifted students are provided. Students are identified individually based on state law and district policy, and those students who possess superior intelligence scores or meet multiple criteria indicating gifted ability may receive services. If you believe that your school-age child may be eligible for gifted services, screening and evaluation processes designed to assess their eligibility are available to you at no cost, upon written request. You may request screening and evaluation at any time, regardless of whether your child is enrolled in the district’ s public school program. Requests for evaluation and screening are to be made in writing to: Special Education and Pupil Services Department, Fox Chapel Area School District, 611 Field Club Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
Confidentiality
All information gathered about your child is subject to the confidentiality provisions contained in federal and state law. The district has policies and procedures in effect governing the collection, maintenance, destruction, and disclosure to third parties of this information. For information about this, as well as the rights of confidentiality and access to educational records, please send a letter to: Special Education and Pupil Services Department, Fox Chapel Area School District, 611 Field Club Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT( FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA( 20 U. S. C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99), is a federal law that is administered by the Student Privacy Policy Office( SPPO) in the U. S. Department of Education. FERPA protects“ education records,” which are generally defined as records that are directly related to a student and maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a party acting for the agency or institution. FERPA applies to all schools that receive funding under any program administered by the Department of Education.
FERPA provides certain rights for parents / guardians regarding their children’ s education records. When a student reaches 18 years of age or attends an institution of postsecondary education at any age, the student becomes an“ eligible student,” and all rights under FERPA transfer from the parent / guardian to the student. ox Chapel Area
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