Special Education

Krista Peterson, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services

570-638-2183 extension 313

kpeterson@southerntioga.org

Michele Williamson, Supervisor of Special Education

570-638-2183 extension 311

mwilliamson@southerntioga.org

Ms. Paula George, Secretary to the Director of Special Education

570-638-2183 extension 314

pgeorge@southerntioga.org

Notice of Special Education Records Destruction

NEW:U.S. Department of Education Releases Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide

The U.S. Department of Education today released a new Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide, a resource to help parents and guardians understand how digital tools can provide tailored learning opportunities, engage students with course materials, encourage creative expression, and enrich the educational experience.

“As technology continues to iterate and benefit every part of our lives, all students need more opportunities to leverage the potential of technology in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. “We hope families can use the information we release today as many of them are relying on technology more so than ever before and are navigating learning from home.”

Digital learning can help families and educators meet the specific needs of individual students, understand a child’s progress, and connect families and students with resources in their school community and beyond. As an increasing number of school systems implement digital learning both inside and outside of the traditional classroom, this guide demystifies digital learning for parents and empowers them to be effective advocates for high-quality digital learning.

The Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide includes guidance and best practices for caregivers around topics including:

1. How to leverage flexibilities and innovations technology and digital tools provide, such as accessibility options, to meet the unique needs of every learner — including students with disabilities and English language learners.

2. Simple steps parents can take to keep their children safe online and foster safe online behavior, such as accessing security features on a child’s device, keeping track of log-in information, and keeping children safe while videoconferencing. The guide also discusses the importance of digital citizenship and offers parents resources to help their child navigate online bullying or encounters with troubling content.

3. How a competency-based learning approach, which measures a student’s knowledge of a subject rather than time spent on the subject, can harness technology for the benefit of students. Digital resources like online assessments, periodic check-ins, and more can update parents on their child’s learning progress, and they can provide instructional flexibility in the event of a school disruption.

4. Easy-to-understand primers on major federal laws governing student privacy and safety, such as FERPA, IDEA, and COPPA.

The Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide was informed by the feedback and contributions of digital learning experts representing researchers, parents, educators, and school leaders, as well as Digital Promise and Learning Heroes. This publication is the first in a series that will ultimately provide digital learning knowledge and resources to educators and school leaders in addition to parents and students.

The guide can be viewed at: https://tech.ed.gov/publications/digital-learning-guide/parent-family/

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Helping Parents and Caregivers Webinar Series

Resources for Families

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires Pennsylvania to ensure that

the total number of students assessed in each subject using the PASA does not

exceed one percent of the total number of all students in the state assessed on

the statewide assessments. Each local educational agency (LEA) must

complete and submit the PASA 1.0 Percent Participation Threshold Justification

to BSE if it anticipates that more than 1.0 % of its students enrolled in grades 3-

8 and 11 will be assessed using the PASA. A list of LEAs who anticipate

exceeding the threshold will be made publicly available on the PDE website, in

accordance with 34 CFR 200.6 (c)(3) regulations. LEAs must also make the

document publicly available upon request, removing any personally identifiable

information. The Southern Tioga School District anticipates exceeding the 1.0

percent threshold for PASA participation for the 2019-20 testing cycle. The

necessary justification information has been submitted to the Bureau of Special

Education. Questions on the Southern Tioga School District participation rates should

be directed to:

Krista Peterson, Director of Special Education

570-638-2183

kpeterson@southerntioga.org

Chapter 15: Other Protected Handicapped Students

Public Notice on Screening and Evaluation

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Annual Public Notice

STSD Special Education Program Pamphlet

Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)

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