Welcome to the Special Education Department Home Page

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 records which have been collected by the School District related to identification, evaluation, educational placement, or provision of Special Education in the District must be maintained under state and federal laws for a period of seven (7) 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 his or her educational program at age twenty-one (21), or moves from the District. 

 

This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of the School District that these records will be destroyed in accordance with state and federal laws unless the parent/guardian or former student notifies the District otherwise. 

 

After seven (7) years, the records are no longer useful to the School 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 former student may request a copy of the records in writing or in person at the following address. 

 

Special Education Office 

Purchase Line High School 

16559 Route 286 Hwy E 

Commodore PA  15729-0374

 

If making a request in writing, please make sure to include your contact information (Name and Address) in the request. 

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.