Special Education Services
SERVICES FOR
EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS
The Jeannette City School District provides a free, appropriate public education to exceptional students according to state and federal mandates and local policy. To be eligible, the child must be of school age, need specially
designed instruction, and meet eligibility criteria for non-exceptional mentally gifted and/or one or more of the following physical or mental disabilities as set forth in the Pennsylvania State Standards: autism/persuasive developmental disorder, blindness/visual impairment, deafness, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, multihandicap, neurological impairment, physical disability, other health impairment, serious emotional disturbance, specific learning disability, and speech/language impairment.
CONFIDENTIALITY OF
STUDENT RECORDS
The privacy rights of parents and students is protected by federal legislation known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Buckley Amendment), state regulations (Chapter 15, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Chapter 14- Special Education Services and Programs, Chapter 12- Student Rights and Responsibilities), and district policy. The different categories of information maintained by the school district are as follows: directory information, personally identifiable information, and educational and health records.
Directory information can be released without consent and includes data which would be considered not harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. This information includes, but is not limited to the following: student’s name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, courses taken, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student. Personally identifiable
information includes but is not limited to the social security number and photographs of students.
Educational records include but are not limited to progress reports, attendance, standardized test scores, grades, aptitude/interest information and standardized mental ability scores. Health records include but are not limited to medical and dental forms, immunizations, emergency cards and state required testing results.
With the exception of receiving school districts, educational and health records, and personally identifiable information cannot be disclosed or released without written parent consent or if a student is eighteen or older without his or her written consent. Where consent is required, it must be clear to parents and/or the student: the records that are being disclosed, the purpose of the disclosure, and the party or class of parties to whom the disclosure is being made.
Requests for release of educational records (excluding exceptional students) and health records are to be conducted at the guidance and nurses offices of each school respectively. Release of the educational records for exceptional students is to be initiated through the Special Education Office at the School District of the City of Jeannette.
PARENTS’ RIGHTS
School records are always open and available to parents and only to school officials who have a legitimate “educationally relevant” relationship to the student. Parents may request changes and/or challenge information and file complaints concerning alleged violations. The school district maintains a written record of approved disclosures.
Any questions regarding this information should be directed to: Mr. Stuart Albaugh at
724-523-5497, Ext. 1.
SCREENING
The Jeannette City School District uses the following methods for identifying and evaluating the needs of potential exceptional students.
Ø Enrollment Information
A student’s special education status is reported by parents or guardians.
Ø Early Intervention Program
All students who will be transitioned into school age programs are reported by the WIU #7.
Ø Instructional Support Team
Students experiencing academic and/or behavioral difficulties despite teacher interventions may be referred to the Student Assistance Program for further assessment. The resulting multi-disciplinary evaluation will determine future accommodations if necessary.
Ø Speech & Language Screening
Annual evaluations are conducted by the district for grades K, 1 and 2 for specific students as requested by parents or teacher.
Ø Gifted Screening Report
A multi-criterion matrix which incorporates standardized measures of student achievement and ability, and teacher and principal observations and recommendations.
Ø Health Screening Reports
(As required by Section 1402
of the PA School Code)
ANNUALLY:
Early Intervention Transition meetings Pre K/K
Hearing evaluation at grades K, 1, 2, 3, 7 and 11;
Vision, height, and weight at all grades;
Dental evaluation at grades K or 1, 3 and 7;
Scoliosis screening at grades 6 and 7;
Physical examinations at grades 6 and 11.
