WHAT EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES
IN THE
OWEN J. ROBERTS SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Owen J. Roberts School District is committed to working with parents to provide our students with quality educational experiences that will encourage them to be successful learners. In line with this commitment, a variety of services have been implemented to address the needs of students who need specialized instruction in order to experience success in the learning process.
CHILD STUDY TEAMS AND INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT TEAMS
Students in need of additional support are initially assisted through child study or instructional support teams. Parents are encouraged to be active members of these teams. Meetings are held regularly to analyze students’ learning difficulties and to develop strategies to help students meet with success in their regular education classes. At grades K through 7 the instructional support team concept is utilized, while in grade 8 to 12 the child study team is the first line of intervention.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM EVALUATION
Students who may require special education services are referred by the instructional support team or child study team for a multidisciplinary evaluation of their learning needs. This evaluation gathers pertinent information on the child’s performance from teachers, counselors, psychologists, and parents. Information is compiled into a comprehensive evaluation report that includes recommendations on the child’s eligibility for Special Education Services. All information collected is protected in accordance with State and Federal law and by the District’s policy on confidentiality of student records. In order to request a multidisciplinary team evaluation for a school age child, a parent should contact their child’s teacher, guidance counselor, instructional support teacher, or principal. The initial involvement of the child study team or instructional support team, however, is recommended to be an important first step in assessing a student’s educational strengths and needs.
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES
The Owen J. Roberts School District provides special education services for all eligible students in grades K – 12. Special education programs are either operated by our school district or the Chester County Intermediate Unit. Services by disability area are listed as follows:
- Autism
- Deaf-Blindness
- Deafness
- Hearing impairment
- Mental retardation
- Multiple disabilities
- Emotional disturbance
- Specific learning disability
- Speech or language impairment
- Orthopedic impairment
- Traumatic brain injury
- Visual impairment including blindness
- Other health impairments
CHAPTER 15/SECTION 504 EVALUATIONS
For those students who have a handicapping condition that requires accommodations or services to appropriately access their regular education program, an evaluation for an educational service agreement can be requested. Students receiving services under this category are typically children who are not eligible for special education services, yet demonstrate a documented disability that requires special consideration within the educational setting. In order to request a Section 504 evaluation a parent should contact their child’s guidance counselor, instructional support teacher, or principal.
INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT PLANS
In some instances, children who are not eligible for either special education or section 504 services, may meet district requirements for a regular education instruction support plan. The provision of such services follow district initiated guidelines designed to address the needs of children who tend to learn at a slower rate than their peers. Parents can request that the instructional support team or child study team review the need for this type of regular education plan. The school guidance counselor, instructional support teacher or principal should be contacted to initiate the process.
PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS
The principal or guidance counselor can provide additional information in regard to parent support groups.
- Advocates for Gifted Education (AGE)
- Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD)
- Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC)
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Special education services are also available to preschool children. The Owen J. Roberts School District works in cooperation with the Intermediate Unit to provide programs for preschoolers who have been identified as eligible for special education.
For more information about special education services for school age children and preschool children, contact your child’s school or contact:
Owen J. Roberts School District
Special Education Office
901 Ridge Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
(610) 469-5165 |
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