If a student is found eligible for special education, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed. The IEP outlines the student’s current levels of performance, individualized goals, specially designed instruction, related services, and supports necessary for the student to make meaningful progress in school.
Related Services
Related services are specialized supports provided to assist students in benefiting from their special education program. These services are determined by the IEP team based on each student’s individual needs and are designed to support access, participation, and progress in the educational environment. Related services may include a range of supports such as speech and language therapy, occupational and physical therapy, counseling, psychological and social work services, nursing and health supports, behavioral interventions, assistive technology, personal care or adult support, and transportation when necessary. All services are delivered as part of a coordinated, team-based approach to ensure that students are supported in reaching their full potential.
Parent Rights and Procedural Safeguards
Parents and guardians are important partners in the special education process. Families have the right to participate in meetings, receive notice of proposed changes to their child’s educational program, review educational records, and request evaluations or meetings to discuss their child’s needs.
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
The district is committed to educating students with disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment. Whenever appropriate, students with disabilities learn alongside their non-disabled peers in general education classrooms with the supports and services necessary to help them succeed.
Transition Meetings and Planning
Each February, the Plum Borough School District partners with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Preschool Early Intervention (PEI) program to host Transition to Kindergarten meetings, welcoming students receiving early intervention services (ages 3–5) into our district. During these meetings, families are provided information about kindergarten enrollment options, and the team takes time to discuss and understand the child’s needs and supports, as well as the family’s perspectives, priorities, and questions. Our district is proud to include a full team of school principals, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and other professionals, as needed, to ensure families feel supported and have all of their questions answered. We are committed to making each transition individualized and to supporting families every step of the way.
Aside from the transition into the district from Preschool Early Intervention, the PBSD also takes pride in its processes to support rising 5th, 7th, and 9th-grade students receiving special education services as they transition between buildings along their educational journey at Plum. These meetings are collaborative and include members from the sending and receiving school teams, as well as parents and guardians. At Plum, we are intentional in making transitions successful by being planful, collaborative, and focused on gathering meaningful information to support each student’s needs. Parent input and collaboration are key features of this process, and are essential to ensuring that each transition is thoughtful, individualized, and responsive to the needs of the student and their family.
Beginning during the school year in which a student turns 14, transition planning becomes an integral part of the IEP process. Secondary transition planning focuses on preparing students with disabilities for life after high school, including postsecondary education or training, competitive employment, and independent living. This process is student-centered and involves identifying each student’s strengths, interests, and preferences to establish meaningful goals and develop the skills needed for adulthood. Through collaborative planning with students, families, and school teams, transition services help guide students toward successful postsecondary outcomes.
At Plum, we prioritize thoughtful and well-coordinated transitions throughout a student’s educational experience. Whether students are entering school for the first time, moving between grade levels and buildings, or planning for a future beyond high school, our teams work collaboratively to ensure parental collaboration, a continuity of supports, clear communication, and a smooth transition that promotes student confidence and success.