We are honored to work with you and your children. At Derry Township, it is our mission to cultivate an extraordinary learning environment that expands the minds and nurtures success for every member of the school community.  Our staff takes an immense amount of pride in the special education services we provide.  You may have questions regarding special education and supports your child is eligible to receive.  Our team looks forward to guiding you through this process.  

Special Education is planned instruction specifically designed to address the educational and related developmental needs of children with disabilities.   A plan is designed through a team approach, in which an IEP is developed to enable the student to make progress by addressing their individual needs.  This includes Early Intervention Services for pre-school-age students starting at three, as well as services for school-age children in grades K-12. 

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires Pennsylvania to ensure that the total number of students assessed in each subject using the PASA does not exceed 1% of the total number of all students in the state assessed on the statewide assessments. Each local educational agency (LEA) must submit justification to BSE if it anticipates that more than 1.0% of its students enrolled in grades 3-8 and 11 will be assessed using the PASA. A list of LEAs who anticipate exceeding the threshold will be made publicly available on the PDE website, in accordance with 34 CFR 200.6 (c)(3) regulations. LEAs must also make the document publicly available upon request, removing any personally identifiable information. The Derry Township School District anticipates exceeding the 1.0% threshold for PASA participation for the 2022-2023 testing cycle. The necessary justification information has been submitted to the Bureau of Special Education. Questions on the DTSD participation rates should be directed to Kirsten Scheurich, Director of Special Education.

 

 

Special Education Teachers: Providing instruction and support to your child in both academic and  behavioral  instruction
 
Related Services: Providing support with functional skills (speech, occupational therapy, etc...) that directly impact your child's education 

 

Educational and Behavioral Consultants: Provide knowledge of behavioral and academic supports to staff to enhance academic, social, and behavioral instruction

 

Psychologists: Provide services that assist with the identification of students with disabilities and collaborate with staff to provide support academically, emotionally, and socially for students    

 

Paraprofessionals: An instructional paraprofessional is a school employee who works under the direction of a certificated staff member to provide support and assistance with instructional programs and services.