Special Education

Johnsonburg Area School District freely and appropriately educates students identified with special needs/abilities in the least restrictive environment suitable for their individual needs in accordance with federal and state laws. We offer educational and support services in and out of the classroom that support the academic, social, and developmental achievement of every student.

Our goal is to provide you answers and resources to help make your experience with your child a positive one. If you ever have any questions about the services your child receives, or if you feel your child should be receiving services, please give us a call. We are always happy to help you.

Every Student Succeeds

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) replaces “No Child Left Behind” to ensure the educational equity of all American students. It protects disadvantaged and high-need students by supporting innovation in intervention; and ensuring that teachers and families receive the information they need to measure student progress.

The law also requires Pennsylvania to ensure the number of students assessed using the Pennsylvania Alternative System of Assessment (PASA) does not exceed one percent of the total number of students assessed by other methods. If an educational locale believes they will exceed that number, the local educational agency (LEA) must submit a participation threshold justification. A list of LEAs who anticipate exceeding that threshold is publicly available on the PDE website, in accordance with 34 CFR 200.6 (c) (3) regulations.

The Johnsonburg Area School District anticipates exceeding the 1.0 percent threshold for PASA participation and will submit the necessary justification to the Bureau of Special Education. Please address questions about this notice to Superintendent Karen Haberberger.

Evaluation Process for Preschool-Aged Children

If you would like your preschool-aged child (three–five-year-olds) evaluated for special education services, please request an evaluation in writing from the Intermediate Unit 9 Early Intervention Office. If you disagree with the evaluation your child receives, you may request an independent educational evaluation at public expense.

Once the evaluation process is completed, a team of qualified professionals will notify you about your child’s eligibility and schedule a meeting to discuss appropriate services. This team will create an individualized education program (IEP) for your child and ask for your consent. Services can not be provided without your written consent.

For more information or to request an evaluation or screening, please contact IU9.

Parent Support Group/Local Task Force

A local task force (LTF) is a parent support group for parents who have a child with a disability. It is an organization dedicated to learning and sharing ideas as it relates to special education initiatives happening at the local and state levels.

Benefits of an LTF
An LTF can help to enhance collaboration between parents, the school districts, and agencies through a common forum. In working together through the sharing of information and the opportunities for presentations on special education educational initiatives, our children benefit and positive relationships can develop.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns!

Duties and Responsibilities of a Local Task Force

  • Assist in the training of parents and others on matters pertaining to the state task force on the right to education.
  • Carry out the letter and spirit of the Right to Education Consent Agreement (PARC vs. Commonwealth) as an advocate group for school-age children with intellectual disabilities.
  • Follow the policies, procedures, and guidelines outlined by the state task force and review recommendations and communications from the state task force as a regular agenda item.
  • Make recommendations that assist in improving and strengthening services for school-age children with intellectual disabilities.
  • Refer systematic issues identified locally to the appropriate intermediate unit, LES, local agency, Bureau of Special Education advisor, or to the state task force chairperson for clarification, recommendation, or resolution.
  • Train new LTF members and serve as a means for education the community at large about the needs to school-age children with intellectual disabilities.
  • May review and comment on intermediate until and school district special education plans and budgets.
  • Assist the state task force in the collection of data to determine the effectiveness of the right to education for school-age children with intellectual disabilities.
  • The LTF chairperson and/or vice chair and/or designee (up to three persons) may participate in monitoring the school districts and charter schools in their region by serving as a peer monitor in the cyclical monitoring conducted yearly by the Bureau of Special Education.
  • The LTF may conduct a parent satisfaction survey during any school year that the district is not being monitored by the Bureau of Special Education. The state task force can standardize and update as necessary.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Johnsonburg Area School District is an equal opportunity employer and educational institution. It will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap in its activities, programs, or employment practices as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, please contact our superintendent at 814-965-2536. For information regarding accessibility of services, activities, and facilities for handicapped persons, please contact our special education director at 814-965-2556.