Agencies, Organizations, & Programs
The Pennsylvania Department of Education that is responsible for the education of students with disabilities from ages 3 through 21.
The Bureau of Special Education (BSE)
A neurological disorder in which individuals display developmentally-inappropriate behavior including poor attention skills and impulsivity. These characteristics arise in early childhood, typically before age seven, and have durations of at least six months.
Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
Specialized services and supports designed to help families with children birth to age five who have developmental delays.
Early Intervention (EI)
An individual who represents or speaks on behalf of another person’s interests, as in a parent for his/her child.
Advocate
1992 (Public Law 101-336) that defines the term disability and prohibits discrimination by employers, by facilities open to the general public, and by state and local public agencies that provide such services as transportation.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
A school district, charter school, or other educational entity responsible for providing free, appropriate, public education in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education statutes, regulations, and policies with or without support from other agencies.
Local Educational Agency (LEA)
A disorder of movement and posture control resulting from injury or lack of development in the brain during fetal life, the newborn period, or early childhood. Both genetic and acquired factors may be involved. The extent and location of the brain damage determine the type of cerebral palsy and the associated symptoms.
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Federal mandate that all children with disabilities must receive appropriate educational programs, tailored to their unique needs, from which they receive educational benefit at no cost to families.
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
A plan that is put in place to teach a child proper behavior and social skills. It should be positive in nature, not punitive
Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
Protects the privacy and transfer of student education records.
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
A nonprofit organization that links families of individuals with disabilities or special needs.
Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania
A substantially limiting physical or mental impairment that affects such basic life activities as hearing, seeing, speaking, walking, learning, working, or caring for oneself
Disability
A written statement of a child’s current level of educational performance and of the child’s individualized plan of instruction, including the goals, specific services to be received, the staff members who will carry out the services, the standards and timelines for evaluating progress, and the amount and degree to which the child will participate with typically-developing peers (see Least Restrictive Environment).
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
A series of tests and observations performed by a multidisciplinary team to find out if a child has a disability and requires special education services. A parent may share with the team any assessment information provided by a qualified individual who is not employed by the local educational agency (LEA). The LEA is required to discuss the results of the evaluation with the child’s parents.
Evaluation
What provides the legal authority for early intervention and special education services for children from birth to age 21. Part B outlines services for children ages three to 21. Part C outlines services for children from birth to age three.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
A state advisory panel required by federal law to provide policy guidance with respect to special education and related services for children with disabilities. Pennsylvania’s panel is established by the governor and consists of 21 members.
Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP)
A neurologically-based, often familial, disorder that interferes with the acquisition and processing of language. Varying in degrees of severity, it is manifested by difficulties in receptive and expressive language, including phonological processing in reading, writing, spelling, handwriting, and sometimes in arithmetic.
Dyslexia
An IDEA requirement indicating that children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, must be educated with children who are not disabled, to the maximum extent possible. Removal of children with disabilities from the general education environment occurs only when the nature and/or severity of their disabilities are such that education in general classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
A related service that provides therapy based on engagement in meaningful activities of daily life (e.g., self-care skills, education, work, social interaction) especially to enable or encourage participation in such activities despite impairments or limitations in physical or mental functioning
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Protects the civil rights of individuals with disabilities. This law is closely intertwined with IDEA.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
The administrative regulatory body for elementary, secondary, and higher education in the commonwealth. It consists of 21 members, 17 of whom are nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate for over-lapping, six-year terms.
Pennsylvania State Board of Education
Problems in communication that affect a child’s ability to talk, understand, read, and write. Disorders may range from a few speech sound errors to a total loss of ability to understand and use language.
Speech / Language Impairment
Specialized instruction tailored to fit the unique learning strengths and needs of students with disabilities.
Special Education
The process of looking at a child’s development to determine if there are any areas of concern. It is used to recommend more in-depth evaluation of the child.
Screening
The primary federal education legislation addressing kindergarten through high school for children at risk.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)