Special Education & Support That Empowers Every Learner

Our Special Education Department will:

• Help students with assignments
• Modify and present assignments in a different mode to ensure understanding and success
• Work with parents and guardians on how best to assist their child with academics
• Communicate via phone, multimedia room, and email with students on a weekly, daily, or as-needed basis
• Provide one-on-one instruction time with students in the multimedia room
• Conduct IEP meetings annually and reconvene them as needed
• Research and provide assistive technology or supplemental software programs
• Provide quarterly IEP Progress Reports to parents and guardians indicating student progress toward goals and objectives
• Collaborate with regular education teachers on how best to meet the needs of each individual student

In compliance with state and federal law, the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School will provide each special education student without discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services or accommodations which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities.

In order to qualify as a protected special needs student, the child must be of school age with a physical or mental disability that substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program. These services and protections for special education students are distinct from those applicable to all eligible or exceptional students enrolled (or seeking enrollment) in special education programs.

For further information on the evaluation procedures and provisions of services to protected special education students, contact the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School at 610-701-3333, or via email at info@palcs.org.

July 1, 1999 – 22 Pa. Code Chapter 15

Questions or complaints regarding Section 504, please contact:

April Brauch
PALCS 504 Coordinator
Enterprise Drive, West Chester, PA 19380
abrauch@palcs.org
610-701-3333

On August 30, 2023, the PDE Bureau of Special Education released a Policy Revision to Age of Eligibility. PDE has revised its guidance pertaining to INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT PART B POLICIES AND PROCEDURES UNDER 34 CFR §§ 300.101—300.176 as follows:

• PA Department of Education Policies & Procedures

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ensures that all children with disabilities ages 3 years through 21 years residing in Pennsylvania have the right to a FAPE, including children with disabilities who have been suspended or expelled from school. The commonwealth shall make FAPE available to a child with a disability eligible under IDEA until the student turns 22. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a child eligible under IDEA who attains the age of twenty-one (21) years may remain enrolled in their resident district free of charge until their 22nd birthday.

Effective no later than September 5, 2023, all students entitled to FAPE and all of the rights and procedural safeguards under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Chapter 14 of Title 22 of the Pennsylvania Code may remain enrolled in public school until they turn 22 years of age. This includes students who turned 21 and exited during or after the 2022-2023 school term.

• Notice of Special Education Services  – English version | Spanish version
• PA Parent Guide to Special Education: An informational PDF document designed for parents, regarding Special Education in Charter Schools.
• PA State Dept. of Education
• Planning for the Future Checklist
• PA Training & Technical Assistance Network (PATTAN): The Parent Guides and other publication resources provide a wealth of useful information on special education and other issues
• Procedural Safeguards