Special Education Home

Special Education Offices

Red Lion Area School District Education Center

696 Delta Road

Red Lion PA 17356

Phone: 717-244-5550

Fax: 223-200-3001

Interim Director of Special Education

Mr. Chris Barry

Supervisor of Special Education

Mrs. Nicole Persing

Administrative Support

Ms. Lori Grove

ext: 7804

Mrs. Rebecca Innerst

ext: 7803

Mission

The Mission of the Red Lion Area School District Special Education Department is to provide high-quality research based instruction that empowers all students to reach their fullest potential, encourages life long learning, and creates valued members of the community.

IMPORTANT POLICY UPDATE

---------------Change in Eligibility---------------

As of September 5, 2023, all students entitled to FAPE under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Chapter 14 of Title 22 of the Pennsylvania Code may remain enrolled in public school until they turn 22 years of age. This includes students who turned 21 and exited Special Education during or after the 2022-2023 school term.

Background

IDEA requires states to make FAPE available to “all children with disabilities residing in the state between the ages of 3 and 21, inclusive.” In Pennsylvania, every child between the ages of six and 21 years is entitled to attend the public schools in their school district of residence until graduation from high school or the end of the school term in which a student reaches the age of 21 years, whichever occurs first. Based on these legal provisions, the commonwealth previously made FAPE available to students with disabilities until the end of the school term in which they reach their 21st birthday.

Over the past decade, states that have been providing public education through adult education programs to individuals between the ages of 21 and 22 have extended the age of eligibility for special education through age 21 to comply with section 1412(a)(1)(B) of IDEA. In Pennsylvania, adult education programs are made available to individuals between the ages of 21 and 22. See 24 P.S. § 6403. These programs receive public funding and are free to students, are under public direction and supervision, and provide secondary education. Therefore, PDE has concluded that Pennsylvania’s adult education programs constitute public education for the purposes of section 1412(a)(1)(B) of IDEA, and Pennsylvania is required to make FAPE available to students with disabilities until their 22nd birthday. This change is effective no later than September 5, 2023.

Policy Revision

PDE has revised its guidance pertaining to INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT PART B POLICIES AND PROCEDURES UNDER 34 CFR §§ 300.101—300.176 as follows:

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ensures that all children with disabilities ages 3 years through 21 years residing in Pennsylvania have the right to a FAPE, including children with disabilities who have been suspended or expelled from school. The commonwealth shall make FAPE available to a child with a disability eligible under IDEA until the student turns 22. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a child eligible under IDEA who attains the age of twenty-one (21) years may remain enrolled in their resident district free of charge until their 22nd birthday.

Please contact the Special Education Department with any questions.