Benton Area School District

 

The Benton Area School District provides a full range of meaningful programs aimed at meeting the special needs of exceptional children.  The district in conjunction with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit has developed policies in accordance with federal and state regulations and guidelines to insure that students receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment.  Parents of exceptional children receive a written copy of these rights as part of the guaranteed due process afforded children with exceptionalities.  Individuals may review a copy of these rights available at the district office.

 

Students in the Benton Area School District receive services through a combination of district operated programs and services contracted through the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit.  Special education is designed to meet the needs of each exceptional student, including specifically designed instruction conducted in the classroom, home, community settings, hospitals, and other appropriate settings. 

 

Related services available to students include transportation, developmental, corrective and other support services to help an exceptional student benefit from a special education program.  Examples include: speech pathology and audiology; occupational, physical, and vision therapy; and psychoeducational evaluation. 

 

Special education services are available to children who qualify in accordance with the state and federal regulations and have one or more of the following physical or mental disabilities: autism/pervasive developmental disorder; serious emotional disturbance; neurological impairment; deafness/hearing impairment; specific learning disability; speech and language impairment; blindness/visual impairment; or who have been deemed gifted.  Furthermore, these children must be determined to be in need of special education by an individual education placement (IEP) team based upon recommendation in a multidisciplinary evaluation.

 

Children who qualify for special education services go through a process of screening or evaluation.  If a disability is suspected parents, teachers, or other school personnel may refer a child for a screening or evaluation by contacting the Special Education office. 

 

Parents who suspect that their child has an exceptionality; or parents of children who have questions regarding their child's program should immediately contact the school.  Detailed information regarding parents rights and special education services and programs are available from the school district upon request.