Special Education programs and services are provided to address the academic, social-emotional, physical and management needs of students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. Programs for students in need of specially designed instruction; accommodations and related-services to access instruction and extra-curricular activities; and curricular modifications to meet individual student learning needs are available with no cost to parents. Our goal is to provide our students with the supports and services needed to foster success in the general education setting. We are proud to have a full continuum of services available to support the individual needs of our students.
Special Education Services:
A child may be eligible for special education services if he/she has physical, intellectual, learning or emotional disability, AND requires specially designed instruction as determined by an evaluation team. Special Education programs and services are provided for students in need of:
- Autistic Support - communication, social skills, and self-regulation supports
- Learning Support - academic supports (reading, writing, and math)
- Life Skills Support - functional academic and independent living skills
- Emotional Support - coping strategies, social skills, and self-regulation supports
- Deaf or Hearing Impaired Support - communication and language supports
- Blind or Visually Impaired Support - visual accommodations/modification, orientation and mobility supports
- Speech and Language Support - articulation and language-based communication supports
- Physical Support - accessibility supports and accommodations
- Multi-Disabilities Support - functional living and communication skills
Protected Handicapped Chapter 15/Section 504:
Children who have disabilities which substantially limit their participation in or access to school programs, but who do not need special education, may qualify for reasonable accommodations in the regular classroom under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other Pennsylvania education regulations.
Gifted Support:
The CASD gifted program is designed for students (K-12) whose exceptional intellectual and academic abilities require special education for challenge, enrichment and/or acceleration within the curriculum. Services are based on individual student need and will vary from student to student, grade level to grade level, and may include direct support and/or support within the regular education setting.
The CASD welcomes and encourages parents to partner in the development of educational programming for their children. Parents with questions or concerns should begin by speaking with their child’s special education teacher or the building administrator at their child's school.
Gail Messinger: Special Education Secretary
(814)664-4677 ext. 1203
Fax: (814) 664-9645