Pupil Services & Special Education

The Pottsgrove School District is committed to providing a continuum of services that offers students with disabilities the opportunity to access the general curriculum in the district in the least restrictive environment.  Services are designed in alignment with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) and state law (Chapter 14) to meet the needs of Pottsgrove School District students with disabilities.  These services are provided at no cost to students who qualify.

The Special Education Department is committed to supporting the delivery of specially designed instructional strategies and related services as prescribed on an identified student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) with an emphasis on increasing opportunities for students with disabilities to learn and grow with non-disabled peers.

Special education is instruction that is individually prescribed to meet the unique learning strengths and needs of an individual school-aged student with disabilities from kindergarten through graduation from high school. The specially designed instruction and related services focus on academics as well as therapeutic needs to help a child overcome his or her difficulties in varied areas of development. These services may be offered in a variety of educational settings, but are required by the IDEA to be delivered in the least restrictive environment.

A student must be evaluated and identified as having a disability and in need of specially designed instructional strategies by a Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation (MDE) to be eligible for special education programs and related services. Related services may include speech and language services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, hearing support, vision support, orientation and mobility, augmentative communication, behavioral support, and social-emotional/counseling support.

The Pottsgrove School District provides students with disabilities with a variety of types and levels of supports. Types of Support Programs include; Speech and Language Supports, Vision Support, Hearing Support, Learning Support, Emotional Support, Autistic Support, Multiple Disabilities Support, and Life Skills Support. Levels of support include Itinerant, Supplemental, and Full-Time.  IEP teams are committed to partnering with families to provide programs to eligible students to meet their needs in the least restrictive environment.

2023-2026 Special Education Plan

During the 2023 school year in review of the Pottsgrove 2019, and 2021 Pennsylvania Youth Survey data, we are proud to share the comprehensive Prevention and Positive Youth Outcomes Action Plan. A team of Pottsgrove administrators, school counselors, school social workers, and nurses, came together to develop this plan. This plan was also developed in partnership and with support from The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Drug and Alcohol and the Office of Mental Health.

The plan is a preventative and proactive planning project focused on developing, implementing, and monitoring a five year comprehensive goal based prevention plan for the district to address youth identified behaviors they shared in the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) report and other identified district mental health data sources. It is important because it represents the voices of our students and will result in increasing early prevention and access to needed services. The plan is focused on strategic measurable goals and will help us better align services and supports to meet student identified needs.

Watch the video version of the Pottsgrove School District Comprehensive Prevention and Positive Youth Outcomes Action Plan.

View the written version of the Pottsgrove School District Comprehensive Prevention and Positive Youth Outcomes Action Plan.

What is the PAYS Survey?

The Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS), administered to students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12, delves into attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge on alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and violence. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, PAYS aids school administrators, state officials, and lawmakers by providing insights into evolving substance use trends. It identifies risk and protective factors, helping community leaders allocate prevention resources efficiently.

Facts about the PAYS
• Surveys are anonymous and confidential—no individual student information can be obtained from the data set.
• For more information, visit www.pays.pa.gov.

Important Policy Change Information Sharing from The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)

The 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. More information on this policy change can be found by visiting the links below.

• IDEA-B Policies and Procedure (Revised August 31, 2023)
• PENN*LINK Message, August 30, 2023
• Letter to Families, English and Spanish

ACCESS is a program where the school district is reimbursed by Medical Assistance for services provided to their students receiving special education services as outlined in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Goal of the ACCESS Program
Reimbursement of funds received for services provided to students will be utilized to further develop and enhance special education services provided district-wide. Therefore, the program helps us to provide quality education services for not only your child but their classmates as well.
The ACCESS program is completely voluntary. You must renew your application every year. Students will receive all services as stated on their individualized education plans regardless of whether or not their guardians choose to participate in the ACCESS program.

ACCESS Contact
Pottstown Office: (610) 327-4280

Medical Assistance Brochure

Medical Assistance Benefits

Medical Assistance Application

Families Reimagining Inclusive Lives Program

Alvernia University Transition Academy Week:

This summer, Alvernia University is hosting Transition Academy Weeks for students in grades 10-12 or super seniors who are considering post-secondary education but are uncertain due to an IEP, chronic medical condition, or a 504 plan. The program is completely free, with all costs covered by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). You must complete the OVR form below to participate. Alvernia University will provide all activities, trips, and meals. Join them for an enriching and supportive experience!

Transition Week Brochure #1

Transition Week Brochure #2

Explore Alvernia University Flyer

OVR Form

Transition planning for students with disabilities begins at age 14 and is the process of preparing students for life after they leave high school. This includes three major areas of planning: post-secondary education and training, employment, and independent living. This website shares information related to post-secondary transition planning, including links to community supports, services, and events.

Secondary Transition Roadmap

School Social Workers are trained mental health professionals with a degree in social work who provide services related to a person's social, emotional, and life adjustment to school and/or society. School Social Workers are the link between the home, school, and community in providing direct as well as indirect services to students, families, and school personnel to promote and support students' academic and social success.

Each school district is required to designate a liaison to ensure that students experiencing housing instability are properly identified, enrolled, and have full and equal opportunity to succeed in school. Students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate residence or are not in the care of their guardian are eligible for McKinney Vento support. Examples of this may include: families facing eviction, runaway youth, victims of domestic violence, fire, loss of employment or hospitalization/incarceration. If you feel your student is experiencing any difficulties accessing their education because of concerns relating to housing stability, please reach out to our homeless liaisons.

For more information about children and youth experiencing homelessness, click here.

The Pottsgrove School District, in accordance with the McKinney Vento Act and School Board Policy 251, is committed to supporting students who lack fixed, regular or adequate housing.

McKinney Vento Act Information- English

McKinney Vento Act Information- Spanish

For additional assistance, please contact your District McKinney Vento/ESSA Liaison and School Social Workers:

Kristin Heaney (6-12): 610-327-2277 ext. 7379

Tiffany Wagner (K-5): 610-327-2277 ext. 6562

LINKS

Montgomery County Subsidized Child Care: Application for free/low cost childcare.   

Montgomery County Mobile Crisis: 24/7 free in-person, phone, or text crisis support.

Behavioral Health Services: Creative Health Services is Montgomery County's Base Service Unit providing family services, including county-funded service for the uninsured.

United Way: 24/7 call or text support by contacting "211" to help connect with community resource agencies, including shelter and emergency housing. 

COMPASS site: Application portal for medical and/or financial assistance, food and/or childcare subsidies, and heating/energy assistance.

Pottstown Cluster: A faith-based organization that provides food and household necessities.

Free Health Clinic: Free and/or low-cost health and dental clinics in Pennsylvania.

Crisis Text Line: MHA to 741741 free text-based support 24/7.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 for victims or survivors (can also text LOVEIS to 22522). 

PCAR crisis hotline for victims of sexual assault: 1-888-772-7227.

Get Help Now Hotline (for substance use disorders): 1-800-662-4357.

Autism Speaks

COMPASS (apply for many health and human service programs)

Freedom Valley YMCA News

Montgomery County Department of Behavioral Health/Developmental Disabilities

Montgomery County Mobile Crisis (24/7 free in person/phone/text support for youth and adults)

Montgomery County Parent & Infant Resource Guide- English

Montgomery County Parent & Infant Resource Guide- Spanish

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Pennsylvania Secondary Transition Guide

Pottstown Clusters (food and household necessities)

United Way 211 (community referrals 24/7 via phone or text)

Pottsgrove School District is committed to meeting the unique needs of all students and supporting their growth and development. When appropriate, students may have opportunities for acceleration and enrichment in particular areas of strength. The Gifted Support Program has specific eligibility criteria outlined below and all district students are screened at regular intervals for eligibility.

Procedures for Identification of Gifted Support Eligibility

Universal Screening: The district has a child find obligation to identify students in need of gifted support. As a means of gaining data for all students, the following measures are considered:
 
OTIS-LENNON School Ability Test (OLSAT): A test of abstract thinking and reasoning ability of children. The OLSAT is a group-administered, pencil-and-paper assessment designed to measure verbal, quantitative, and spatial reasoning ability. The test yields verbal and nonverbal scores from which a total score, called a School Ability Index (SAI) is derived. The OLSAT will be administered in the spring of first, third, and fifth grades. A Total score on Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) above the 90th percentile using National Age Norms will be considered.

Exact Path: Math and Reading Nationally normed test with a percentile score; align with local curriculum and state standards; computer-administered 2-3 times per year. In this domain, students with Exact Path scores in the 90th percentile or above on either overall reading or math will be considered.

Teachers in first, third, and fifth grades are asked to rank their students according to ability. Ranking in the top 20 percent of the class according to teacher ratings will be considered.

Students who meet the defined criterion in two or more of the above domains will be referred for a full evaluation. Factors Used to Determine Eligibility for Gifted Students: 

Full Scale Intelligence Quotient or General Ability Index (GAI), math reasoning skills based on individually administered testing, reading comprehension skills based on individually administered testing, parent and teacher ratings of gifted characteristics, and teacher rating of acquisition and retention.

Procedural Safeguards

electronic release of records

mental health agency guidelines

request for educational records

authorization for release of information

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The purpose of FERPA is to protect the privacy of student records. The law also assures that educational records which are vital to the appropriate education of a child are accessible to the school professionals working with that student. If you do not want your child's picture/image to be published in school district publications or social media accounts, please fill out the form found in your student's First Day Packet accessible on the PowerSchool portal.

Student Records Policy

Confidentiality of Special Education Student Information Policy

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires Pennsylvania to ensure that the total number of students assessed in each subject using the PASA does not exceed one percent of the total number of all students in the state assessed on the statewide assessments. Each local educational agency (LEA) must complete and submit the PASA 1.0 Percent Participation Threshold Justification to BSE if it anticipates that more than 1.0 % of its students enrolled in grades 3-8 and 11 will be assessed using the PASA. A list of LEAs who anticipate exceeding the threshold will be made publicly available on the PDE website, in accordance with 34 CFR 200.6 (c)(3) regulations. LEAs must also make the document publicly available upon request, removing any personally identifiable information. The Pottsgrove School District anticipates exceeding the 1.0 percent threshold for PASA participation for the 2022-23 testing cycle. The necessary justification information has been submitted to the Bureau of Special Education. Questions on the Pottsgrove School District participation rates should be directed to Mrs. Sarah Matz, Supervisor of Special Education (K-5), 610-327-2277 ext. 1008.