• Pottsville Area School District Special Education

    The Pottsville Area School District, either directly or through Schuylkill Intermediate Unit #29, provides special education and related services that are required by children with disabilities. If you believe that your child may be in need of a special education program, a screening and special education evaluation are available to you at no cost through the Pottsville Area School District. The special education evaluation will determine if your child qualifies for special education services and demonstrates a need for those services. Typically, special education services involve modifying instruction and adapting materials to better meet your child's identified educational needs. 

    In order to receive these services, a team of experts trained in assessing children with disabilities must evaluate your child. This team will determine if your child has a disability and, if so, is in need of special education and related services. As the parent, you are an important member of your child's evaluation team.

    Before the Pottsville Area School District may proceed with an evaluation, it will notify you in writing of the specific types of tests and procedures it plans to use, and of your rights throughout its process.  The evaluation cannot be completed until the district receives a signed written notice, indicating your consent to the proposed evaluation.

    If after an evaluation, your child is found to have a disability and in need of special education services, the Pottsville Area School District will develop, with your participation, an Individualized Education Program (IEP). An IEP is a written document that specifically describes the services your child needs and will receive as a result of the evaluation. The services in the IEP will be offered to your child in a public school. If you choose not to accept the services specified in the IEP, your child may be eligible for equitable participation services provided by the Intermediate Unit outside of the public schools. If you are interested in finding out more about the special education services, the evaluation process, screening activities, and are a resident of the Pottsville Area School District, please contact the Director of Special Education.     

     Program Types

    • LEARNING SUPPORT for children with disabilities that demonstrate a need for academic support.
    • EMOTIONAL SUPPORT for children with disabilities that demonstrate a need for the development of positive behavior and social skills.
    • LIFE SKILL SUPPORT for children with disabilities that demonstrate a need for the development of independent living skills.
    • AUTISTIC SUPPORT for children with disabilities that demonstrate a need for the development of communication and social interaction skills.
    • MULTIPLE DISABILITY SUPPORT for children with disabilities that demonstrate a need for the development of communication, mobility, and self care skills.
    • PHYSICAL SUPPORT for children with disabilities that demonstrate a need for physical support and accommodations.
    • DEAF AND HEARING IMPAIRED SUPPORT for children with disabilities that demonstrate a need for hearing impaired and academic support
    • BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED SUPPORT for children with disabilities that demonstrate a need for visually impaired, academic, and orientation/mobility support.
    • SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SUPPORT for children with disabilities that demonstrate a need for development of language and communication skills.
    • PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES for children with disabilities and children thought to be exceptional.
    • RELATED SERVICES for children with disabilities, such as occupational therapy and physical therapy within the educational setting only.

     

    PDE amended policy for continued education for students receiving special education services

    On August 30, 2023, a memo was sent to all LEAs titled "Change in Age of Eligibility for Free and Appropriate Public Education" from Dr. Carole L. Clancy, Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Bureau of Special Education. The memo states that "[t]he Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is writing to communicate an important policy change that will provide continued education services to special education students. This policy change will ensure students can access Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as they are entitled under federal law.

    "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."

    For more information, please contact Mrs. Aschman (570) 624-4784 and/or visit the following links: IDEAB, Age of Eligibility, and IDEAB FAQ.

    SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

    The Pottsville Area School District will destroy all Special Education records 7 years after a student turns 21 years of age or moves from the school district. If you would like a copy of your child's records before they are destroyed please contact the Special Education Office at ( 570) 621-2991. There will be a service fee of $.25 per single side page.
  • Record Requests

    All record request(s) should be directed to the Special Education Department. Please call Jacqueline Szeliga at 570-621-2915 . Please leave a detailed message along with your name, phone number, and an email address where you can be reached. Request(s) will be processed in the order in which they are received. All special education records will be destroyed seven years after a student turns 21 years of age.
     
  • Gifted Education Program

    PASD Gifted Parent Information
    Annual Notice of Gifted Services
    Notice of Parent Rights for Gifted Students
    Gifted Education Frequently Asked Questions

    Special Education/Gifted/Section 504
    Annual Notice to Parents
    Procedural Safeguards

    If parents/guardians need additional information regarding special education, gifted education or 504, they should call or write to the building level administrator:

    Ms. Kelly Brennan, Director of Special Education
    D.H.H. Lengel Middle School 
    1501 W. Laurel Blvd.

    Pottsville, PA 17901
    (570) 621-2985


    Mrs. Julie Saunders, Supervisor of Special Education
    John S. Clarke Elementary Center
    601 North 16th Street
    Pottsville, PA 17901
    (570) 621-2945

    Mrs. Eleanor Aschman, Supervisor of Special Education
    Pottsville Area High School 
    16th and Elk Avenue

    Pottsville, PA 17901
    (570) 624-4784