Dear Parents:
The North Schuylkill School District is committed to the success of each child. The Special Education Department remains committed to ensuring that each child leaves school each day feeling successful. We do this by providing individualized supports, a continuum of service delivery options, facilitating academic and social development and maintaining dignity and respect for each student.
A collaborative effort is required between parents, support staff, and regular educators to facilitate the independence and success of each student. If you have any questions regarding your child, or special education, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or the special education office.
Our fifth annual SPARTAN GAMES will be held in May. This track and field meet is designed for students with disabilities who may not have the opportunity to participate in athletic events with their peers. 16 school districts participate in the event and the public is invited to cheer on our athletes.
The North Schuylkill School Districts’ Special Education Department offers a continuum of services to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. These services include but are not limited to: Autistic Support, Emotional Support, Learning Support, Speech and Language Support, and Life Skills Support. Students with disabilities may receive special education and related services in the general education classroom, or direct instruction and services from a special education teacher in a program-specific classroom if deemed appropriate by their Individualized Education Program (IEP).
In the Spring of 2023, the district will be updating its special education plan. More information regarding the plan is below.
Special Ed Plan
What is a Special Education Plan?
- The school district’s special education plan is an action plan that describes the local Board of School Director’s commitment to ensure that a quality education will be provided to each of its students with a disability eligible for special education, over the upcoming three years.
- The content of the special education plan describes the special education program and services that are provided within a school district and those special education programs and services which are accessed by the school district from outside the school district’s geographical boundaries.
Please contact the Special Education office with any questions.
Knute Brayford, Supervisor of Special Education
North Schuylkill School District
15 Academy Lane
Ashland, PA 17921
(570) 874-0495 X1141
kbrayford@northschuylkill.net
The Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) 1.0 Percent Participation Threshold Justification document can be made available upon request. Please contact the Special Education Office at (570) 874-0495 to view the document.
Attention Parents/Guardians, Former Students, Eligible (Adult) Students
Special Education records which have been collected by the North Schuylkill School District (NSSD) related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of Special Education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for a period of seven years after Special Educational services have ended for the student. Special Education services end when the student no longer is eligible for services, graduates, completed his or her educational program at age 21 or moves from district.
This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of North Schuylkill School District’s intent to destroy the Special Education records of students who are no longer receiving Special Education services for at least seven (7) years beyond the age of twenty-one (21). These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise.
After seven years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but they may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for Social Security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records in writing or in person at the following address:
North Schuylkill School District
Special Education Department
15 Academy Lane
Ashland, PA 17921
The district may charge $0.10 per copy for single sided pages for personal use and $0.25 per copy for Right to Know requests.
Secondary Transition is the process of preparing students for adult life after they leave high school. Transition planning begins at age 14, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP team, as students consider their goals for the time after graduation through career awareness exploration activities. The transition process continues through high school as academic instruction and community experiences help clarify and support students’ goals. The entire process is based on individual student’s needs, considering each student’s strengths, preferences, and interests.
Transition can be thought of as a bridge between school programs and the opportunities of adult life, including higher education or training, employment, independent living and community participation.
Please see the website below regarding secondary transition:
Schuylkill Transition Council
Transition Resources for Parents & Community
PA Secondary Transition
Connecting for Employment
PaTTAN Secondary Transition
PaTTAN Family Information
Student Led IEPs
Understood.org Digital Resources
PaTTAN Transformation Tuesdays
PA Family Network events
PEAL Center events
Healthcare Transition
Notice of Special Education Services
Annual Public Notice
Procedural Safeguards Letter
Notice of Rights Under Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Notice of Destruction of Special Education Records
Notice of Parental Rights for Gifted Students
Pennsylvania Department of Education Webpage - Including the amended Age of Eligibility Policy, the Student/Parent Notice Letter, and the PENN*LINK Communication.
IU29 Parent Resources
Schuylkill County - Right to Education Task Force
PDE Paraprofessional Website
IU29 Training Opportunities
