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Special Education

Message from the Department

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 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. 21 school districts participate in the event and the public is invited to cheer on our athletes.

The North Schuylkill School District’s 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 2026, the district will be updating its special education plan. Please see below for more information.

Knute Brayford
Director of Special Education

Special Education Plan

🕒 Public Review Notice: The proposed Special Education Plan for the period of 2026 until 2029 will be available for public review in the Superintendent’s Office from March 27, 2026 until April 28, 2026.

The school district’s special education plan is an action plan that describes the local Board of School Directors’ 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 plan describes the special education program and services provided within the district and those accessed from outside the district’s geographical boundaries.

Please contact the Special Education office with any questions.

PASA 1.0% Participation Threshold: 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.

2025–2026 State Performance Plan (SPP) Indicator 8 Parent Survey

Don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard!

We value your thoughts on how we can work together to improve education for our children. Your family, like others with a child receiving special education services, has a unique opportunity to help shape how schools involve families in their children’s learning. Your opinions matter and your input can make a real difference!

Why participate?

  • Our school is part of The State Performance Plan Indicator 8 Survey to learn how schools support family involvement in education.
  • In just five minutes, you can answer five questions and share your opinion on your role in the special education process.
  • Keep an eye out for a postcard with instructions on completing your personal, anonymous survey. Not all families from our school will get a survey.
SPP Indicator 8 survey postcard — front: Your Opinion Matters! Help Pennsylvania improve special education by filling out this quick survey. SPP Indicator 8 survey postcard — back: How well does your child's school partner with your family? Complete a 5-minute survey at leaderservices.com/survey.
  • If you receive a postcard – this is YOUR chance to make a difference! You can respond easily by scanning the QR code or using the provided URL and access code.
    • Need help? You can request assistance, a paper survey, or a different language version right on the site.
    • No internet? No problem! Call ConsultLine at 1-800-879-2301, and they’ll mail you a survey.

Every response counts! Your answers are confidential – our school won’t know who participated, but your input will help shape special education services across Pennsylvania. Join the thousands of families who have already shared their voices! Don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard. Your feedback matters!

Important Notices

Notice of Destruction of Special Education Records

Attention Parents/Guardians, Former Students, and Eligible (Adult) Students

Special Education records collected by the North Schuylkill School District (NSSD) related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of Special Education must be maintained under state and federal laws for a period of seven years after Special Education services have ended for the student. Special Education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, completes their educational program at age 21, or moves from the district.

This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of the district’s intent to destroy 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:

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.

Preparing Students for Adult Life

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 and 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 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.

Transition Resources

Parent Resources

Special Education Paraprofessional Trainings