Special Education Services
Our team is dedicated to meeting the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of every child.
PA Distance offers comprehensive K-12 Special Education services, including speech and language, occupational, and physical therapy, as well as social work, counseling, and psychological evaluations. Each student has a Student Annual Goal (SAG) sheet, regularly reviewed to tailor interventions.
Online Learning and Special Needs Students
PA Distance Learning ensures students with disabilities are eligible for comprehensive special education and related services. Eligibility is determined by meeting the U.S. Department of Education’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) definition of a “child with a disability,” in accordance with PA state and local policies. IDEA includes 13 distinct disability categories that qualify a child for these essential services:
Autism
Deafness
Deaf-blindness
Hearing impairment
Intellectual disabilities
Multiple disabilities
Orthopedic impairment
Other health impairment
Serious emotional disturbance
Specific learning disability
Speech or language impairment
Traumatic brain injury
Visual impairment, including blindness
If you believe your child qualifies for Special Education Services, please contact a grade-level principal or school counselor in order to begin the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process to discuss our no-cost PA special education evaluation process and additional options for your child. Or for more specific Special Education questions, feel free to contact our Special Education Director.
Records Request
For information about PA Distance student records or questions about sending records, contact Mary Alicandro at mary.alicandro@padistance.org or by calling 888-997-3352 extension 142.
Please indicate on your request if you utilize IEP Writer so records can be transferred.
Child Find / PA Distance
PA Distance Learning provides a charter school Special Education program in accordance with current federal and state regulations and guidelines. This program is individualized to the unique needs of each child who has been diagnosed as needing special education services. We provide a multi-faceted educational evaluation as needed for each student living with a disability.
What is Child Find?
Child Find is a critical process for identifying, locating, and evaluating children with disabilities who may require special education and related services. It ensures that all children have the opportunity to receive the support they need to succeed.
Both state and local education agencies are given the responsibility by federal and state law to conduct Child Find activities so that children who need special services have the opportunity to receive those services.
What is the Purpose of Child Find?
To promote public awareness of disabilities
To alert parents, professionals, and the public to children who may have special needs
To assist the school in finding children who may have disabilities and who otherwise may not have come to their attention
To enable children and families to receive the special education services that are needed