Special Education
The Downingtown Area School District provides a continuum of services in accordance with Federal and State laws and our mission is to educate all students. We are dedicated to the facilitation and supervision of programs that support students with special needs in cooperation with families and district school building staff.
Students with Disabilities
School-aged children within the jurisdiction of the district who have been evaluated and found to have one or more disabilities as defined by law, and who require, because of such disabilities, special education and related services. School-aged children who have identified disabilities but do not require special education may be entitled to accommodations or services or to enroll in courses of study in the district which serve students with disabilities pursuant to other law or Board policy.
PDE Policy Revision to Age of Eligibility
The District has received recent notification regarding a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) policy change that may impact your student. Under the new policy, students who are eligible under federal IDEA may access a Free and Appropriate Public Education until their 22nd birthday. This means if a student would have traditionally exited from high school during or after the school term in which they turned 21 years of age, they now may remain in school until their 22nd birthday. This includes students who exited during or after the 2022-2023 school term. Please access this link for more information IDEAB FAQ (pa.gov)
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
The written educational statement for each student with a disability that is developed, reviewed and revised in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations.
Evaluation & IEP Process
Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR)
The Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR) administers the special education dispute resolution system for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for parents of children with disabilities and/or giftedness, and the educational agencies who provide services to them. ODR is committed to the development and provision of services supporting proactive and local resolution of disputes, in addition to its role in the oversight of the mandated dispute resolution system.
ODR Mediation request form
Special Education Plan 2023-2026
The special education plan is an action plan that describes the Board of School Director's commitment to ensure that a quality education will be provided to each of its students with a disability eligible for special education. The District reviews this plan every three years to ensure compliance. The content of the special education plan describes the special education program and services that are provided within a school district and those special education programs and services which are accessed by the school district from outside the school district's geographical boundaries.