PA Distance provides a variety of K-12 Special Education services, including speech and language services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, counseling, and psychological evaluations.
Our PA Charter Special Education Team works to meet the needs of each and every child academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. All students have a Student Annual Goal (SAG) sheet which is revisited multiple times a year or more depending on what interventions are needed for the student.
For more detailed information, click on the different areas of our Special Education Department below:
Meet the Team
Our Special Education Department consists of experienced and credentialed teachers and support staff. Click here to learn more about each of our charter school’s Special Education teachers and Support Staff.
Overview – Online Learning and Special Needs Students
At PA Distance, students with disabilities are eligible for special education and related services when they meet the U.S. Department of Education’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) definition of a “child with a disability” in combination with PA state and local policies. IDEA’s definition of a “child with a disability” lists 13 different disability categories under which a child may be found eligible for special education and related services:
- Autism
- Deafness
- Deaf-blindness
- Hearing impairment
- Intellectual disabilities
- Multiple disabilities
- Orthopedic impairment
- Other health impairment
- Serious emotional disturbance
- Specific learning disability
- Speech or language impairment
- Traumatic brain injury
- Visual impairment, including blindness
If you believe your child qualifies for Special Education Services, please contact a grade-level principal or school counselor in order to begin the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process to discuss our no-cost PA special education evaluation process and additional options for your child. Or for more specific Special Education questions, feel free to contact our Special Education Director.
Child Find
PA Distance Learning provides a charter school Special Education program in accordance with current federal and state regulations and guidelines (see Child Find info below). This program is individualized to the unique needs of each child who has been diagnosed as needing special education services. We provide a multi-faceted educational evaluation as needed for each student living with a disability.
What is Child Find?
Child Find is the process of identifying, locating, and evaluating children living with disabilities who may be in need of special education and related services.
Why does Child Find Exist?
Both state and local education agencies are given the responsibility by federal and state law to conduct Child Find activities so that children who need special services have the opportunity to receive those services.
What is the purpose of Child Find?
- To promote public awareness of disabilities
- To alert parents, professionals, and the public to children who may have special needs
- To assist the school in finding children who may have disabilities and who otherwise may not have come to their attention
- To enable children and families to receive the special education services that are needed
Records Requests
For information about PA Distance student records or questions about sending records, contact Mary Alicandro at mary.alicandro@padistance.org or by calling 888-997-3352 extension 142. Please indicate on your request if you utilize IEP Writer so records can be transferred.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The documents below can provide you with even more information regarding learning disabilities:
Special Education Services (1 page)
Child Find
Procedural Safeguards Notice
Parents’ Rights