Marple Newtown School District

The Marple Newtown School District maintains a continuum of educational services for students who are struggling in school. An administrator would be happy to assist you in understanding your child's difficulties and in developing an appropriate educational remediation plan to address specific problematic issues and to "walk you through" the process of obtaining appropriate services for your child. For further details on Pennsylvania Special Education Law, the obligations of school districts in the Commonwealth to service students with special education needs, and the rights of students with special education needs you may wish to contact the Pennsylvania Department of Education or visit their website at www.pde.state.pa.us/ and in the Search entry enter Chapter 14. Chapter 14 of the Pennsylvania Education Code is the law governing special education in the state. You may also simply contact the district's Offices of Pupil Services and Special Education to speak with an administrator or to request an evaluation. You may reach the Offices of Pupil Services and Special Education at 610-359-5907 or 610-359-4217. Special Education: An education program individually designed for an exceptional student. A special education professional is directly invoved as either a consultant, a service provider or a classroom teacher. Determining Eligibility: A student may be exceptional if both qualifications are met. (1) The student must have an identified physical, sensory, mental or emotional disability or be mentally gifted. (2) The student demonstrates a need for special education services as determined by an IEP Team that typically is composed of a regular education teacher, a special education teacher, a district representative and the student's parents. Program: Programming for students with disabilities is differentiated through the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process. In many instances, more frequent and sometimes more intensive strategies, adaptations and accommodations are provided than would normally be present in regular education programs. The degree of service for exceptional students is contingent upon individual needs. In order to provide an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment, the district provides a continuum of placement options with the necessary resources to implement each student's IEP. Gifted support services include appropriate opportunities for individual acceleration and relevant enrichment. Parent To Parent: Parent to Parent is a District support group for parents/guardians of students who receive Special Education Services. The mission is to help parents be better advocates for their children. Meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at the High School Library, 7:30 p.m., and feature guest speakers.