Special Education
Phone: (570) 742-0539
Fax: (570) 246-5201
1% PASA Justification 2024-2025
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 Milton Area School District anticipates exceeding the 1.0 percent threshold for PASA participation for the 2024-25 testing cycle. The necessary justification information has been submitted to the Bureau of Special Education. Questions on participation rates should be directed to Misty Harris, Supervisor of Special Education at 570-742-0539.
Student Services
The Milton Area School District, through annual and ongoing screening and evaluation, identifies children with special needs and abilities and ensures them a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. A full range of services for exceptional students is offered by the school district and is complemented by programs offered by Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit.
Special Education programs and services in the Milton Area School District provide specially designed instruction to meet the needs of the exceptional child. The nature of the need may be related to autism/persuasive development disorder, blindness or visual impairment, deafness or hearing impairment, mental giftedness, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, neurological impairment, other health impairment, physical disability, serious emotional disturbance, specific learning disability, or speech and language impairment.
Academic or behavioral concerns should be brought to the attention of the classroom teacher, guidance counselor, building administrator, or the Supervisor of Special Education.
At all schools, students may be referred to a multi-tiered system of supports, called MTSS, for any academic or behavioral concerns. The goal of this process is to improve student achievement using research-based interventions matched to the needs of the student through regular education services. There are three tiers in this process; Tier 1 Core Classroom Instruction, Tier 2 Targeted Small Group Instruction, and Tier 3 Intensive Individual Intervention. Goals are set and progress is monitored closely. Regular progress report are provided to parents. The MTSS Team will refer a student to a Multi-disciplinary Team if progress is not occurring in Tier 3 for discussion about the need for a special education evaluation. Parents have a right to request a special education evaluation at any time throughout the MTSS process.
A comprehensive school-based evaluation will be completed with written parent permission. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be developed if the student qualifies for special education services. An IEP directs the educational program including goals, specially designed instruction, accommodations/adaptations, related services, and type special education support appropriate to meet the student’s needs. A Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP) will be developed for a student qualifying for services with mental giftedness.
Further information on screening, evaluation, programs and services, placement, confidentiality and all related matters may be obtained from Misty Harris, Supervisor of Special Education, at 570.742.0539.
Milton Area School District 1% PASA Justification 22-23
Independent Educational Evaluation
SpecialEducationPlan_2022-2025
Annual Special Education Notice 23-24
Destruction of Special Education Records
Age of Eligibility Policy Change 8/31/23:
Special Education Change of Age of Eligibility Penn Link_August_30_2023