Special Education
Our Office is located in the High School; room 124
Dawn Ambrisco
Supervisor of Special Education
724 254-4312 x4124
[email protected]
Bridget Polenik
Secretary to Special Education and ACCESS
724 254-4312 x4048
[email protected]
On July 8, Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 55 of 2022 (Act 55) into law.
Act 55 permits a student with a disability who was enrolled during the 2021-22 school year and turned age 21 during the 2021-22 school year, or between the end of the 2021-22 and the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, to attend a school entity during the 2022-23 school year and receive services as outlined on their most recent Individualized Education Program (IEP) with all the protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
As required by Act 55, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) developed and posted online a standard form for parents/guardians and students to notify school entities of their plan for the student to attend the school entity for the 2022-23 school year. School entities are encouraged to post the Act 55 Student Enrollment Notification Form on the school entity’s publicly accessible website along with instructions and an email address for parents/guardians and students to submit the form to the school entity.
Parents/guardians and students who wish to take advantage of Act 55 must complete, sign, and submit the Act 55 of 2022 Student Enrollment Notification Form to the student’s school entity on or before August 1, 2022.
For a student with a disability who turned 21 during the time periods listed above, both the parent/guardian and the student must complete the form. Forms are to be submitted to the school entity in which the student will attend in the 2022-23 school year - they may not be submitted to PDE.
Guidance and answers to FAQs on Act 55 of 2022 is now available on PDE’s website. Please note, the form will be made available on PDE’s website beginning Monday, July 11, 2022 - the form is attached to this email for reference and posting on your website.
Please send any questions/concerns to the following RA account:
- Special Education Specific Questions - [email protected]
Sincerely,
Carole Clancy, Director
Bureau of Special Education
Special Education Department Offers Parent Trainings
2022-2023 School Year
5pm-Oct.3, 2022 High School Library
Empowering Families as Partners in the Least Restrictive Environment
5pm-Feb 13, 2023 High School Library
Reading Tips for Parents
8:15am-April 17, 2023 Elementary STEAM Room
Social Work in the School Setting
Parents/Guardians must register at least two weeks prior to the trainings. Please call Bridget Polenik, Special Education Secretary at (724)-254-4312 ext. 4048 to register for a training.