Special Education
In December 2010, the district administration reported that 225 pupils or 16.6% of the district's pupils received Special Education services. In December 2009, the district administration reported that 211 pupils or 15% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.
Abiding by state and federal laws, the District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield educational benefit and promote student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, visual acuity, motor, and speech/language screening. When the screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a building principal or the School Psychologist-Supervisor of Pupil Personnel. An Individual Educational Program (IEP) is developed for specialized services for an eligible student who needs these services. The district provides some special services. It also contracts with Intermediate Unit #1 and Approved Private Schools. Classes providing Learning Support, Life-Skills Support, Emotional Support, Physical Support, Multiple Disabilities Support, and Autistic Support are available for students at beginning school age through age 21.
In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.
Bethlehem-Center School District received a $933,127 supplement for special education services in 2010.
For the 2011-12 school year and the 2012-13 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.
Read more about this topic: Bethlehem-Center School District
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