The Bradford Area School District offers a wide variety of Special Education Services to children in our schools. The following represents an explanation of services. If you wish to request any of these services or want more information call the Pupil Personnel Office at 814-362-3841.

1. Psychological Services
2. Multidisciplinary Evaluation
3. Speech
4. Guidance Counselor
5. Special Education Classes
6. Gifted Support
7. Learning Disabilities Program
8. Standardized Testing Program
9. Home Schooling
10. Homebound Instruction
11. GED Testing Center
12. PA Access Coordinator
13. District Homeless Liaison
14. FERPA - HIPAA Regulator
15. School Nursing Services
16. Early Intervention Transition
17. Secondary Student Transition
18. Provide OT/PT Therapy
19. Service Agreement - 504 Plan
20. Residential Placement Coordinator
21. Alternative Education/District Liaison with Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems

Psychological Services provided in the school district include the evaluation of students, recommendation to teachers, and parent conferences. Psychological tests are administered for a variety of reasons by the school psychologist. Parents will be advised in advance of the need for testing and must give consent for the testing to be done. After the testing process has been completed and the reports written, parents are notified and appropriate conferences are scheduled.

Multidisciplinary Evaluation – If a student is thought to be exceptional after the psychological evaluation, a multidisciplinary evaluation will take place. Information will be recorded from the student’s parents, persons familiar with the student’s educational experience and performance and the psychologist. The multidisciplinary evaluation will make recommendations as to whether a student is exceptional and/or in need of some type of learning support. Parents who suspect that their child is exceptional may request a multidisciplinary evaluation of their child at any time.

Speech – The services of the speech therapist are available to those children referred for help in the area of verbal communication. Diagnostics and corrective procedures are administered. The speech therapist will screen kindergarten, second and sixth grade students for possible speech defects. Other students will be screened at the request of the classroom teacher, principal and/or parent.

Guidance Counselors – We have two elementary guidance counselors and four secondary counselors in our schools. Counselors provide a variety of services to our students and are a good resource for parents.

Special Education Classes – A variety of classes are offered for students with learning difficulties. Learning Support, Life Skills Support and Multiple Disabilities Support are conducted in various schools in the district. In addition, classes are held for the Gifted, Learning Disabled, and Emotional Support, Hearing, Vision and other Health Impairments.

Gifted Support – Bradford Area School District provides a resource classroom approach to meeting the special education needs of gifted students. The program, called “Explore”, is designed to meet specific goals in affective, cognitive, socialization, leadership, and creative areas. Formal steps are followed for admittance to the program.

Learning Disabilities Program – Programs are available for children who have been diagnosed as learning disabled. Part-time services are provided for some children; other students receive full-time assistance to help overcome their learning disability.

Standardized Testing Program – The Board of Education has approved a testing program designed to provide information concerning the proficiency of all children in the district on standardized tests of academic achievement and aptitude.

The results of these tests provide a continuing record of each child’s academic progress in comparison with the national norms. They are also an invaluable aid to your child’s teacher in diagnosing individual strengths and weaknesses in order to provide effective individualized instruction.

Your child’s scores will be maintained in their school record as long as your child attends school in the Bradford Area School District. Should your child transfer to another school system, his/her permanent record will be transferred to the new school system. Only legally authorized individuals and agencies will be permitted to inspect your child’s record without your written permission. Should you wish to examine your child’s record file, you may arrange to do so by making an appointment with the principal.

Home Schooling – Parents are to notify the Pupil Personnel office for information regarding the format and regulations to educating their children in their own home.

Homebound Instruction – This is a service provided to children who cannot attend school for a prolonged period of time due to a medical problem. Upon receipt of a medical excuse from the doctor, the school district will provide tutorial help for the student.

GED Testing Center – Pupil Personnel office is a certified and comprehensive center for administering the complete battery of GED testing requirements. Upon successful completion of all requirements the individual will receive a GED diploma from Harrisburg.

PA Access Program - The District participates in a grant program that brings in monies to be used to enhance the Special Education programs.  The funds are used to purchase computers, equipment and supplies.  The money is used to hire new Special Education teachers, instructional aides, and to supplement conferences and training.

District Homeless Liaison - Students who are homeless can enroll and be very successful in our schools.  As District Liaison, we must follow laws that regulate homeless students in our District.  We need to make sure students get all the needed school services that are available in addition to assisting the family with immunization, immunization and medical records, and transportation to school.

FERPA - HIPAA REGULATOR - Strict laws have been developed to ensure the privacy of students.  Students have been granted various rights in a school district.  The Office of Pupil Personnel make sure that these rights are upheld by the School District.  The files for students in privacy situations are kept in our office under lock and key.  The FERPA laws are reviewed by the building principals on a yearly basis.

School Nursing Services - We provide three full-time certified school nurses and one certified LPN to service the four school buildings.  Screening for hearing and eye exams are done on various grade levels.  School physicals are given at specified grade levels.  Height and weight are checked periodically for students.  Medications are administered by the school nurse under the direction of our medication policy.  Student medical needs are addressed on a daily basis.

Early Intervention Transition Services - The Bradford Area School District provides transition services for all five-year olds that are transitioning from the Early Intervention Program.  A meeting is scheduled with the Early Intervention staff, parents, Director of Pupil Personnel and any related service providers (Speech, Vision, Occupational and Physical Therapist).  Information is shared with the School District representative to ensure that the same services will be provided for the student by the beginning of the following school year (Kindergarten).

Secondary Transition Coordinator - Transition planning is provided for all special needs students in grades eight through twelve.  The main goal is to be able to have a student be prepared for employment or higher education upon their graduation date.  Outside agencies are contacted and involved on an eligibility basis.

Occupational & Physical Therapy - Students are provided occupational and physical therapies through a contracted service with McKean County Care for Children.  A close collaboration with the agency and Director of Pupil Personnel has been established to provide the best care for children in need of these two services.  This therapy is done in the school setting by trained therapists.  Progress is monitored through the student's current IEP goals and objectives.

Chapter 15-504 Plans - Some students have physical needs but not academic needs.  In these cases, the School District will meet with parents, teachers, administrators and the school nurse to develop a Chapter 15 service agreement or an IDEA 504 plan.  both these plans are developed to ensure that the student medical and physical needs are met in the school setting.

Residential Placements - Some students are in need of special residential care.  The Office of Pupil Personnel Services works closely with the parents, outside agencies and the residential provider to provide the best placement for the student and parent needs.  Correspondence with the residential care facility is done on a regular basis.

Alternative Education/District Liaison with Beacon Light Services - Students who are unable to succeed in the general curriculum are considered for the Alternative Education Program though a criteria-based referral system.  The Office of Pupil Personnel Services serves as the liaison between Beacon Light and the Bradford School System.  Referrals and placement decisions are made between the Director of Pupil Personnel, the Superintendent, and the School Board of Education.