Special Education

Vision Academy Charter School is committed to providing equal opportunities to students with disabilities by implementing individualized education plans (IEPs) or 504 plans in formal education and extra-curricular activities. Vision Academy provides specialized services internally or contracts privately or through external related services providers such as the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) to get speech and language specialists, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, and others.

The Principal and the Special Education Coordinator at Vision Academy oversee the implementation of IEPs and 504 plans. They help teachers understand how to deliver personalized curriculum to students with disabilities. Vision Academy deploys team teaching as necessary to ensure that IEPs and 504 plans are appropriately implemented and that students are receiving services as identified in their plans.

Identifying and Addressing Disabilities

Vision Academy uses the MTSS model as a primary tool for identification and referral for special education services. Our Child Study Team—comprised of the special education coordinator, teachers, administrators, and services professionals when needed—assesses teacher, parent, and/or guardian concerns when a student faces difficulties that may indicate a disability. The team reviews data collected by the student’s teachers, observes the student in the learning environment, and may implement a series of interventions to be carried out by the classroom teacher, subject specialist, and/or special education coordinator. Following documented attempts with interventions, the Child Study Team may recommend a special education evaluation.

When we identify a student in need, we provide special education services in accordance with federal and state law. Students with disabilities are integrated and educated with students who are not disabled. Services provided that might separate a child from the general education environment occur only when the nature or severity of the child’s disability is such that education in general education classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

We educate our students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment possible in full compliance with their IEPs or 504 plans. We promote their inclusion and engagement in school activities and foster their involvement with the entire school community.

We also provide parents and guardians with procedural guidelines and safeguards. Parents can review the Special Education Policies and Procedures Handbook approved by the board. The school principal maintains responsibility for assuring compliance with all laws and regulations regarding special education.

Testing

Vision Academy complies with all the state testing requirements related to students with disabilities. Our special education coordinator works with our curriculum director to ensure that all students with disabilities taking the PSSA (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment) are given the appropriate accommodations. They also inform parents and guardians about the scope of the PSSA and its interpretation.

Behavior Support Plans

In addition to its work with students with disabilities, our Child Study Team works with students with discipline or behavior issues, attendance concerns, or other problems that interfere with their success in school. The team uses individualized behavior support plans to implement intervention strategies across the curriculum to support at-risk students.

The team holds behavior-focused IEP meetings when students with disabilities are identified as at-risk to revise their IEPs accordingly.

 

For more information, please get in touch with Dr. Coll, Principal, at coll@vacharter.org.

VACS Family Resources

Onsite/ Hybrid/Virtual Learning Opportunities for Parents 
https://www.pattan.net/Parent-Information/Events-and-Conferences 

Enhancing School Engagement and Attendance for students with disabilities 
https://www.pattan.net/Publications/Enhancing-School-Engagement-and-Attendance-for-Stu