The mission of the Insight PA’s Special Education Department is to recognize each student as an individual with strengths, potential, and a purpose. The Department strives to equip and empower each student to become a lifelong learner and active member of the community.
Insight PA follows federal guidelines in regard to providing a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to students eligible for special education services. Guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Education serves as a basis for policies and procedures for the Insight PA Special Education Department.
In order to be eligible to receive special education services, a student must meet the requirements of one or more of the following categories of education disabilities, as outlines in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (AUT)
- Deaf-Blind (D/B)
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH)
- Emotional/Behavioral Disorder (EBD)
- Intellectual Disability (ID)
- Orthopedic Impairment (OI)
- Other Health Impairment (OUI)
- Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
- Speech-Language Impairment (SI)
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Visual Impairment, including Blindness (VI)
ChildFind
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.
What are the goals of Child Find?
- To promote public awareness of disabilities
- To enable children and families to receive the special education services that are needed
- To assist the school in finding children who may have disabilities and who otherwise may not have come to their attention
Insight PA 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 Special Education Team is dedicated to meeting the academic, social, emotional and behavioral needs of every child.
Parents have the right to request that their child receive a full and complete evaluation to determine whether he/she has a disability and is in need of special education and/or related services. This includes having the child assessed in all areas of the suspected disability (including but not limited to behavior, academics, communication, social skills and daily living skills) in the language that the child normally uses (native language) unless it is not possible to do so.
Parents and children have many rights under the special education law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It is important that parents and children understand their rights to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The term “appropriate” is defined as the educational needs of the individual child that are outlined in the Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP is deemed a working document created by a team of educators and the family that establishes goals for a child to achieve in order to succeed.
Change in Age of Eligibility for Free and Appropriate Public Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has implemented a 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, visit the links below:
Procedural Safeguards Notice
We provide parents with a copy of the Procedural Safeguards Notice at least once a year and in the following instances:
- Parent request
- Initial referral or parental request for evaluation
- Receipt of the first state complaint
- Receipt of the first due process hearing request
- Notification by ISPA to the parent of a disciplinary removal of a student from ISPA that would constitute a change of placement
Insight PA offers many Related Services per a student’s Individualized Education Plan or 504 plan, in order for them to benefit from general education. Insight PA offers services via tele-health or in person depending on student need. The following list is some of the services offered, although not an exhaustive list.
If you have a request or questions about special education records, email specialeducationrecords@insightpa.org