Supporting a child with a disability through the education process takes a team approach. As a parent, you are an essential partner in your child’s education. You have many partners, including your Local Education Agency (LEA), providing support, resources, trainings, and videos to assist you in learning about specific disabilities and educational initiatives.
Important News for Families
Student Grade-Level Retainment (Act 66 of 2021)
On June 30, Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 66 of 2021 into law. Parents/guardians or students at or over the age of 18 interested in re-enrolling their child for the 2021-22 school year, under the Act 66 of 2021 options below, must submit an Act 66 of 2021 Student Grade Level Retainment Notification Form to the district and/or school that the student will attend in the 2021-22 school year on or before July 15, 2021. Act 66 allows the following for the 2021-22 school year:
- A student who was enrolled during the 2020-21 school year may repeat their 2020-21 school year grade level in an effort to make up for any lost educational opportunities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, even if the student met the requirements to be promoted to the next grade, and
- A student with a disability who was enrolled during the 2020-21 school year and turned age 21 (either during the 2020-21 school year or between the end of the 2020-21 and the beginning of the 2021-22 school year) may attend a school entity during the 2021-22 school year and receive services as outlined in their most recent Individualized Education Program (IEP) with all the protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
NOTE: To qualify to repeat a grade level, a student had to be enrolled in one of the following school entities in PA during the 2020-21 school year: a school district, intermediate unit, career and technical education center, charter school, cyber charter school, regional charter school, or nonpublic school.
SUBMIT THE FORM TO YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL ON OR BEFORE JULY 15, 2021. Do not submit the form to the Department of Education (PDE).
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND THE FORM TO SUBMIT TO YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL.
READ BLOG with Research and Resources for Consideration, Pennsylvania's Voluntary Student Retention Due to Covid-19 Learning Disruptions.
FAMILIES, THE BUREAU OF SPECIAL EDUCATION (BSE) NEEDS YOUR FEEDBACK!
The BSE is developing a plan that will be submitted to the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The plan will provide targets and improvements that will guide Pennsylvania and its local education agencies (LEAs) in reaching positive outcomes for students with disabilities through Fiscal Year 2025.
They are seeking input in two ways.
State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR) includes measurable and rigorous targets of compliance with IDEA 2004 regulations and results for schools. Input is needed on graduation and dropout rates, participation and performance on state assessments, suspension rates, least restrictive environment, school facilitated parent involvement, post school outcomes, resolution session settlement agreements, and mediation agreements.
(Click on the image to learn more and access the form.)
State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) includes targets and improvement strategies PA should consider on improving Indicator 17, Graduation Rates for Students with Disabilities.
(Click on each image to learn more and access the comment and registration forms.)
Parent Consultants: Supporting Family-School Partnerships for Student Success
BSE/PaTTAN Webpage Specifically for Families of Students with Complex Needs
Popular PaTTAN Publications for Families
To access publications specific to families of children with disabilities, click on "Resources" in the green box at the bottom of this page.
Click here to access all PaTTAN publications.