Child Find

Services – Age 3 Until School Age

Children age three through the age of admission to first grade are eligible for specialized services if they have developmental delays and, as a result, need special education. A child between three and the age of beginners is considered to have a developmental delay when one of the following exists: (i) the child’s score on a developmental assessment device, which yields a score in months, indicates that the child is delayed by 25% of the child’s chronological age in one or more developmental areas; (ii) the child is delayed in one or more of the developmental areas, as documented by test performance of 1.5 standard deviations below the mean on standardized tests. Developmental areas include cognitive, communicative, physical, social/emotional, and self-help.

Screening for preschool children is available on a monthly basis. Evaluations for preschool-aged students residing in the South Eastern School District are typically conducted at the Shrewsbury Elementary School. Scheduling and questions regarding preschool screening can be directed to 717-235-2673 or toll free 1-888-669-7735 extension 6491.

Services for School Age Exceptional Students

It is the responsibility of the South Eastern School District to ensure that, to the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities, including those in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with students who are not disabled. Special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of students with disabilities from the general education environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in general education classes, even with the use of supplementary aids and services, cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Special education services are provided according to the educational needs of the child, not necessarily the category of disability. 

Screening

Screening is a pre-evaluation/pre-referral process that occurs in regular education. 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, vision, physical and speech/language screening; and review by child study or multi-tiered system of support team. 

Evaluation

 When screening results suggest that a student may be exceptional, the district seeks parental consent to conduct an evaluation. An evaluation for special education services is conducted by an evaluation team that includes the parent, teachers, and any other qualified professionals. The process must be conducted in accordance with specific timelines and must include procedural safeguard procedures. 

The evaluation process results in a written evaluation report. This report specifies a student’s eligibility for special education based on the presence of a disability and the need for specially designed instruction. The evaluation report also makes recommendations for educational programming. 

Parents who suspect their child may have a disability may request an evaluation at any time through a written request to the building principal. If a parent makes an oral request for an evaluation, the school district shall provide the parent with a form for the purpose of putting their request into writing. Pre-referral practices and procedures shall not serve as a barrier to the right of a parent to request an evaluation.