Special Education
Our special education program works with families to create Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to meet the special needs of their children. This plan includes related services in and out of school, at no cost to the family, to complement the student’s personal instruction and ensure that he/she receives the most benefit from his/her education.
Child Find
In compliance with state and federal laws, Smethport Area School District gives annual public notice of ongoing identification activities as a part of its school program for the purpose of identifying students who may be in need of special education and related services (eligible students).
If you believe that your school-age child may be in need of special education services or related programs (or your young child, three-years-old to school-age, may be in need of early intervention), screening or evaluation processes designed to assess the needs of the child and his or her eligibility are available to you at no cost, upon written request. You may request screening and evaluation, in writing, at any time, whether or not your child is enrolled in the district's public program.
Identified Students
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, children qualify for special education services if they demonstrate one or more of the following disabilities and/or need for related services:
- Mental retardation
- Hearing impairments (including deafness)
- Speech or language impairments
- Visual impairments (including blindness)
- Serious emotional disturbance
- Orthopedic impairments
- Autism (including pervasive developmental disorders)
- Traumatic brain injury or other health impairment
- Specific learning disabilities or, for preschool age children, developmental delays
Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, some school-age children with disabilities who do not meet the eligibility criteria under the IDEA might nevertheless be eligible for special protections and adaptations or accommodations in instruction, facilities, and activities. Children are entitled to such protections, adaptations, and accommodations if they have a mental or physical disability that substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to any aspect of the school program, whether academic or non-academic in nature.
Gifted Students
Smethport ASD also offers acceleration and enrichment services for students identified as “gifted.” A child is considered mentally gifted when his or her cognitive ability, as determined by a multidisciplinary team evaluation, indicates that he or she has outstanding abilities that require special programs and services not ordinarily available in the general education program to develop fully.
SASD personnel screen students and gather academic data during regular classroom activities to determine whether a gifted evaluation is warranted. Parents may also request gifted screening at any time. If a child is determined to be mentally gifted, the district may offer specially designed instruction and related services, including enrichment opportunities.