Special Education

The River Valley School District strives to provide appropriate educational services to all students by offering a wide variety of programs. The district engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive Special Education services. Special Education services are provided to students, at no cost to parents. Special Education and related services are provided in compliance with state and federal regulations. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are developed to allow eligible students to make meaningful educational progress. The district's Child Find Program strives to identify all children at risk and to make appropriate referrals.

Parents, who suspect their child might be in need of Special Education services, may request that the district conduct a Multidisciplinary Evaluation (MDE), at any time. This evaluation will include information from parents and staff. It may also include the measurement of academic and behavior skills. Parents should submit their written request, for this evaluation, to the school's guidance counselor or principal. Forms, for this purpose, are available from the school guidance counselor.

Programs and Services

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support (River Valley, and Saltsburg Campuses K-12)

Emotional Support (Saltsburg Campus K-5)

Emotional Support (River Valley Campus 6-12)

Learning Support (River Valley and Saltsburg Campuses K-12)

Life Skills Support (River Valley Campus K-12)

Speech-Language Support (River Valley and Saltsburg Campuses K-12)

Vision Support (River Valley and Saltsburg Campuses K-12)

Related Services

Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy

Psychological Counseling

Speech-Language Therapy

We are proud of our:

Commitment to including all students with disabilities in ALL district educational initiatives (e.g. Keystones to Opportunity Grant K-12; 1:1 Literacy Grant). ALL students, including individuals with disabilities, are provided iPads on a take-home basis in grades 9-12; students in grades 6-8 will be provided iPads during the school day for the 2013/14 school year. Teachers' technology-based lessons and activities are accessible to students in grades 6-12 including general education and all programs of special education (e.g. LS, SL, ES, and LSS).
Commitment to students with disabilities accessing the general education curriculum through the use of accessibility features on the technology devices.
Commitment to including students with disabilities to the maximum extent possible across all grade levels in the general education curriculum. A high percentage of students with disabilities reflective of ALL disability categories are included in sporting events, musical events, and clubs.
Commitment to the annual Safety Care training schedule as a method to positively redirect crisis behavior.
Commitment to the ongoing use of best practices within the special education programs (e.g. SESS-Strengthening Emotional Support Services; Life Skills Support Curriculum and Transition Framework; monthly building level special education meetings; Inclusion model K-12)
Commitment to increase parent engagement by hosting periodic "Coffee Klatch" at the Saltsburg Elementary School for parents of students who attend the Life Skills Support program on the Blairsville campus
Commitment to increase parent engagement (e.g. Parent training for technology and the School-Wide Title 1 as we leverage the status to meet needs of all district students).
Commitment to increasing student achievement by including district-wide general and special education teachers in the nine baseline training of the KTO grant.
Commitment to preparing ALL students for 21st-century career pathways through a rich curriculum in transition and technology by the implementation of 9-12 grade graduation project that aligns transition activities and opportunities for all students including 20 hours of community services each year/every student (total of 80 hours by the end of the senior year).
Commitment to parent feedback by providing parent survey at the conclusion of training as well as an online parent survey posted in elementary school using a dedicated iPad to scan the survey - QR code.
Commitment to parents, staff, and faculty to provide professional development training and topics as a result of a district-wide needs assessment