Dallas School District provides a variety of programs to students who meet the criteria to be identified as eligible and then in need of special education and related services. Eligibility is determined through an evaluation conducted by a Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MDT). This team prepares an Evaluation Report (ER) which is based on a student's strengths and needs as shown by educational performance levels, rate of acquisition and retention, interpretation of assessment results, classroom observations and information from parents and teachers. . To qualify as a student with a disability the child must be of school age, in need of specially designed instruction, and meet eligibility criteria for one or more of the following physical or mental disabilities, as set forth in Pennsylvania State standards: autism/pervasive development disorder, blindness/visual impairment, deafness/hearing impairment, deaf blindness, orthopedic impairment, multiple disabilities, traumatic brain injury, mental retardation, other health impairment, emotional disturbance, specific learning disability and speech/language impairment.
· If the Multidisciplinary Evaluation recommends the student is eligible and in need of special education services, the Individual Education Program (IEP) team determines the need of specially designed instruction, an IEP is written. The IEP is a written plan that describes the student's present levels of functioning, goals and objectives, specially designed instruction and resources necessary for the student to experience success within the educational environment. If a student is not eligible for IEP, the team must still make recommendations.
· The Dallas School District provides all special education students a Free Appropriate Public Education. Special Education will be provided in accordance with the District's Special Education Plan as submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Educational programs (itinerant, supplemental, or full-time) are available in the district for students found to be exceptional according to the Pennsylvania State Department of Education guidelines. The following categories are included: autism/pervasive development disorder, blindness/visual impairment, deafness/hearing impairment, deaf blindness, orthopedic impairment, multiple disabilities, traumatic brain injury, mental retardation, other health impairment, emotional disturbance, specific learning disability and speech/language impairment.