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Parent/Guardian Information For Students With Disabilities

Services
Comprehensive Screening & Student Identification Process
Evaluation Report ER
Individualized Education Program IEP
Notice of Recommended Educational Placement NOREP
Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation
Confidentiality of Students' Records
For More Information

Beginning in kindergarten and continuing through high school, the district conducts comprehensive screening to determine whether or not students are in need of specially designed instruction. Screening information is collected from cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, and results of mandated vision and hearing screening.

Pre-School Services are provided by Colonial Intermediate Unit #20.

Students with disabilities who are not eligible for Special Education Services may obtain a 504 Service Agreement with the School District. Please contact your child's guidance counselor if you need such an agreement.

The Saucon Valley School District offers the following Special Education Services in either district operated or outside agency programs:
  • Gifted Support
  • Hearing Impaired Support
  • Learning Support
  • Visually Impaired Support
  • Emotional Support
  • Speech/Language Support
  • Life Skills Support
  • Physical Support
  • Multi-Handicapped Support
  • Autistic Support
Admission into a program is based on Pennsylvania guidelines for the exceptionality.

 
Evaluation Report ER
The ER is a report of findings of the MDE process in written format. It includes reason(s) for the referral, historical information, parent/guardian information, classroom observations, teacher input, test results which must include instructional evaluation, and as needed ecological results, vocational education results, student's interests, behavior assessment results, strengths, needs, conclusions, and recommendations. All this information is gathered within 60 school days after receipt of consent from the parent/guardian to conduct the evaluation/re-evaluation.

After the MDE team collects and evaluates all of the information about a student, a  Evaluation Report (ER) is typed and presented to the parents within 10 school days after the 60 school day evaluation process.
 

The MDE team determines whether specially designed instruction is needed. If specially designed instruction is needed, a plan is developed so that the student can receive the help that is needed. The plan is called an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This plan is developed by the IEP Team which includes the parent/guardian, the student, the guidance counselor, the principal, the school psychologist, the regular education teacher(s), the special education teacher, and anyone else who has a direct interest or knowledge of the student's educational program.

The IEP lists everything the parent/guardian needs to know about the student's educational program. The plan includes the student's strengths and needs, educational goals and objectives, specially designed instruction, where the program is located, and when the program will begin and end. Specific goals and objectives are necessary on the IEP, and parents must receive progress reports quarterly. The Special Education teacher will provide progress reports to the parent/guardian.

IEP's are reviewed and rewritten yearly, or when there is a change in the student's program, or when any member of the IEP Team requests a meeting. The same procedure is followed in which the special education teacher will arrange the IEP meeting.

 

Before the IEP can be implemented, a Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP) must be signed by the superintendent and the parent/guardian. The NOREP is a legal document that the parent/guardian or 18-year-old student signs before the student is allowed to start a specially designed instruction program. The NOREP lists the program(s) recommended, the level of intervention, the location of the program, appropriate grouping, and other related services. The Procedural Safeguards Notice, and Options Considered are also completed and given to the parent/guardian.

An IEP cannot be implemented until the parent/guardian signs the NOREP agreeing to student's placement. If the NORA is signed at the meeting, the IEP can be implemented within 5 days. If the parent/guardian has not returned the NOREP within 10 days, phone contact must be made home before services can begin.

A new NOREP should be issued whenever there is a change in the student's IEP in regards to location or programs. The same procedure listed above should be followed regarding issuing a NOREP.

The MDE is a process of collecting and evaluating information about a student's strengths and needs. The MDE may be requested by the Child Find Team, the School District, or by the parent/guardian to determine if Special Education Services are needed.

Parental/Guardian consent for permission to evaluate is required before the MDE process can be initiated. The parent/guardian also receives a copy of the Procedural Safeguards Notice explaining the process and their rights.

You, as a parent/guardian, are part of the MDE team. The team also includes the student's regular education teacher(s), guidance counselor, principal, psychologist, the student, and anyone else who has a direct interest or knowledge of the student's educational program. The MDE team will collect and evaluate information about the student's strengths and needs and make recommendations about educational programming.

Confidentiality of students' records is adhered to as listed in Saucon Valley's Student Records Plan and Section 342.68 of the State Standards for Special Education. These procedures are in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and Chapter 12 of the State Board Regulations relating to students.

Access to student records by outside agencies is limited and in most cases requires parent/guardian and student (18 years or older) consent. Only school staff involved in the instruction or supervision of a student may access the student's records. Procedures for parent/guardian or student (18 years or older) inspection and release of a student's records are available at the building level.

Personally identifiable information is protected by district policy in the Students Records Policy. This policy may be reviewed by contacting the building administrator.

L.V. Legal Services
801 Hamilton Mall
3rd Floor
Allentown, PA 18101
610.821.8545
PA Protection & Advocacy Inc.
116 Pine Street
Suite 102
Harrisburg, PA 17101
1.800.692.7443
 
Northampton County MH/MR
40-44 E. Broad Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
610.974.7500
Association For Retarded Citizens of Northampton County
1036 N. Godfrey Street
Allentown, PA 18103
610.434.8076
   
Ms. Moira O'Connor
Supervisor of Special Education
Saucon Valley School District

2097 Polk Valley Road
Hellertown, PA 18055