Special Education
The U.S. Congress enacted the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to insure that all children with disabilities receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) designed to meet their unique needs in the least restrictive environment. In accordance with this law, The Greencastle-Antrim School District provides, without cost to parents, screenings and evaluations of all students thought to be eligible for services under the IDEA, and appropriate programs and services to all students identified as having a disability who are in need of specially designed instruction.
Programs and services are developed based on each child’s identified area of disability and the need for specially designed instruction and related services.
If you believe your child may be eligible:
If a child’s parent/guardian(s), teacher(s), or other school personnel suspects that a child may have a disability they may request that the student be referred for multidisciplinary evaluation (MDE) (which may be in conjunction with a child going through the Intervention for Proficiency (IFP) or Student Support Team (SST) processes). If a parent/guardian suspects that his/her school age child has a disability, he/she may request an evaluation by submitting a dated written request, indicating the reason for the request. A Permission to Evaluate (PTE) form will be issued along with a copy of Procedural Safeguards, detailing parental rights in the evaluation and IEP process. Once the permission is received, the district will begin the evaluation. The Psychoeducational evaluation may include, but not be limited to, the following assessments: review of records, intelligence testing, achievement testing, parent input and teacher input. After all assessments are completed an Evaluation Report (ER) will be shared with the parents/guardians.
As a result of the Multidisciplinary Evaluation, should it be determined that a child has a disability and is in need of specially designed instruction, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be developed with input from a team of people. The IEP team is comprised of the parent(s)/guardian(s), special education teacher, general education teacher who has knowledge about the student, Local Education Agency representative, and others who work with or have knowledge about the student. Based on the student’s need for specially designed instruction, the services to be provided will be defined in the IEP with recommendations for an appropriate placement.
Types of Services Available:
Most students requiring special programs are educated and included within The Greencastle-Antrim School District schools. Some students attend programs operated by the Lincoln Intermediate Unit (LIU). Other pupils attend Approved Private Schools (APS) supported by state and local district funds.
In accordance with the IDEA a full continuum of services are provided for the disability categories listed below:
1. Autism (including Pervasive Developmental Disorder)
2. Deaf-Blindness
3. Deafness
4. Emotional Disturbance
5. Hearing Impairment
6. Mental Retardation
7. Multiple Disabilities
8. Orthopedic Impairment
9. Other Health Impairments
10. Specific Learning Disability
11. Speech or Language Impairment
12. Traumatic Brain Injury
13. Visual Impairment including Blindness
Steps in the Evaluation Process:
Upon request, permission to evaluate is issued to the parent/guardian
Upon receipt of signed permission the evaluation will begin and must be completed within 60 calendar days, excluding days that school is not in session for the summer
A copy of the completed evaluation will be shared with the parents/guardians
A team meeting will be convened to discuss the results of the evaluation and, if appropriate, to develop an IEP
Special Education Administration
Ginger Thompson
Special Education Director
(717) 597-3226 ext. 30517
Nicole Tosten
Supervisor of Special Programs/Behavior
(717) 597-3226 ext. 30517
Keri Lewis
Secretary to the Director of Special Education
(717) 597-3226 ext. 30517
Special Education Documents
Procedural Safeguard Notice
Annual Public Notice of Special Education Services and Programs
Special Education Plan Report
Change in Eligibility for Free and Appropriate Public Education