Significant Cognitive Disabilities

This page serves all educators, administrators and parents supporting students with intellectual disabilities.  Students identified as having an intellectual disability are characterized as having an impairment that affects cognitive functioning and adaptive behaviors. Students will have diverse cognitive profiles and individual strengths and needs.  It is important to understand that the information contained on this page may be helpful to students of varying disabilities including, but not limited to autism, deaf-blind, multiple disabilities, etc.  Visitors to this page are encouraged to explore other PaTTAN pages. 

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Resources

2023 HELIX Conference Date Saver This flyer is a date saver for the 2023 HELIX Conference.

APR: Is a Career as a Special Education Teacher Right for You? In alignment with Pennsylvania’s dedication to Attracting, Preparing, and Retaining practitioners in education, specifically in special education, this publication was developed for those interested in learning more or pursuing a career as a Special Education Teacher for Students with Low Incidence and Cognitive Disabilities. These teachers instructs students whose disabilities represent a low percentage of the total number of students with disabilities. Students with low incidence and cognitive disabilities require unique instruction to help them achieve their highest potential.

Click here to learn more about Pennsylvania's APR initiative.

DLM Quick Start Guide for Assessors: PASA Online Resources for Assessment Coordinators (ACs) Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) Alternate Assessment System is the alternate assessment vendor for all PASA training, enrollment, and test administration. This quick start guide lists PASA online resources that can be utilized by Assessment Coordinators (ACs). This has been updated for the 2022-2023 school year.
 

Framework for Access and Belonging (FAB) The Framework for Access and Belonging (FAB) is a structured process to analyze the instructional, physical, and social environment of a general education setting from the perspective of an individual student. The intended outcome of using the FAB is to have an implementation plan, through the use of supplementary aids and services, that expands participation and learning for a student with a disability. 

PASA Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Quick Start Guide for Assessment Coordinators (ACs) Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) Alternate Assessment System is the alternate assessment vendor for all PASA training, enrollment, and test administration. This quick start guide can be utilized by DLM Assessment Coordinators (ACs) and has been updated for the 2022-2023 school year.

PASA Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Quick Start Guide for New Assessors Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) Alternate Assessment System is the alternate assessment vendor for all PASA training, enrollment, and test administration. This quick start guide can be utilized by new DLM Assessors and has been updated for the 2022-2023 school year.

PASA Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Quick Start Guide for Returning Assessors Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) Alternate Assessment System is the alternate assessment vendor for all PASA training, enrollment, and test administration. This quick start guide can be utilized by returning DLM Assessors and has been updated for the 2022-2023 school year.
 

PASA Eligibility Criteria: Decision Making Companion Tool The PASA Eligibility Criteria: Decision Making Companion Tool is a resource provided to individualized education program (IEP) teams in Pennsylvania to assist in determining eligibility for the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA).

The PASA: Answers to Questions Frequently Asked by Families (Spanish) The PASA: Answers to Questions Frequently Asked by Families is a resource intended for families and educational teams to assist in understanding information specific to the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment. This resource has been updated for the 2020-21 school year and replaces the previously released PASA Parent Guide. Spanish version.

Also available in English and Vietnamese.

The Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA): Answers to Questions Frequently Asked by Families The PASA: Answers to Questions Frequently Asked by Families is a resource intended for families and educational teams to assist in understanding information specific to the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment.  This resource has been updated for the 2021-22 school year and replaces the previously released PASA Parent Guide.

Also available in Spanish and Vietnamese.

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Consultants

- Office Lead

- State Lead

Jennifer Geibel PaTTAN - WEST

Lynda Lupp PaTTAN - EAST

Tara Russo PaTTAN - CENTRAL

Kristin Starosta PaTTAN - EAST

Gregory Lazur PaTTAN - WEST

Tammy Bertel PaTTAN - EAST

Meredith Penner PaTTAN - EAST

Kelley DesLauriers PaTTAN - WEST