Special Education Programs

The School District of Philadelphia helps students with disabilities get diverse supports and services to meet individual learning needs. In compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Pennsylvania School Code, the District provides an appropriate educational program designed to meet each student’s unique needs and to support academic, social and emotional growth. The School District of Philadelphia is continually working to increase its capacity to serve a wider range of student needs within its public schools.

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

 Learning support – for children whose greatest need of support is in the areas of reading, writing, math, or speaking or listening related to academics

Emotional support – for children whose greatest need is for social, emotional, and behavioral help

Life skills support – for children whose greatest need is to learn academic, functional, or vocational skills that will allow them to live and work independently.

Blind and visually impaired support – for children who require services related to visual impairments or blindness. The IEP for these students must address the extent to which Braille will be taught and used.

Deaf and hard of hearing support – for children who require services related to deafness or hearing impairment. The IEP for these students must include a communication plan to address language and communication needs

Speech and language support – for children who have speech and language impairments and require services to develop communication skills

Physical support – for children who have a physical disability and require services in functional motor skill development

Autistic support – for children with autism who require services in the areas of communication, social skills, or behavior

Multiple disabilities support – for children with more than one disability, the combination of which results in severe impairment, and who require services in academic, functional, or vocational skills necessary for independent living

*Information taken from the Pennsylvania Department of Education website