This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Special Education - General Information in Pennsylvania.
THE RIGHT TO SPECIAL EDUCATION IN PENNSYLVANIA
Children with disabilities can do great things in school and in life when they get the right supports and services. Learn how the system designed to educate children with disabilities (called special education) works in Pennsylvania and how you can make it work for your child. No one knows your child like you do. The law makes it clear that your knowledge of your child and your opinions about your child’s educational needs are important and must be considered by school officials.
Special education is an educational program designed to meet the particular needs of a child with a disability at no cost to the parents. State and federal laws provide special
protections for children with disabilities in public school and require that certain services and supports be available to help your child succeed in school. Continue Reading Full Reosurce. . .
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Accommodating Health Needs in School: 504 Plans - What Can a Parent Do if a Child has a Health Need that Requires Support or Services in School?
There are many steps that schools must take to make sure that children with health needs are supported to learn and are included in all parts of school. This fact sheet explains the rights that children with health problems have in school, including the right to be identified, evaluated, and receive an accommodations plan and the right to be free from disability discrimination. The goal is to make sure every student with a disability can fully participate in school. Accommodations help students with disabilities succeed at school and create a level playing field for the child. [PDF] (August 2024)
Parents’ Rights: Understanding the Procedural Safeguards Notice
Parents of children who receive or who may be eligible for special education services have rights under a law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This brochure provides a summary of those rights. The Procedural Safeguards Notice provides a more detailed explanation of those rights. (Updated 7/25)
Questions and Answers on Special Education and Homelessness
Information from the the Pennsylvania Department of Education about issues surrounding the provision of Special Education to a homeless child. The document provides State and local educational officials, services providers, and homeless assistance coordinators with information to assist with implementation of the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento Act). This Q & A document represents the Department’s current thinking on these topics. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person.
Special Education for School-Age Children (age 3 to graduation or age 21)
Information from Disability Rights Pennsylvania on Special Education Services Available to Children with Disabilities beginning at age 3.
Your Student’s Right to Compensatory Education
If your student with a disability has been denied needed educational services required by law, your student is entitled to makeup educational services, or compensatory education. Compensatory education is an equitable remedy, which means it is based on the idea of fairness. Compensatory education is meant to put a student in the same position they would be in if the school had provided appropriate special education and supports in the first place. Because of that, compensatory education is highly individualized and broadly flexible to the needs of your student.
Mediation (Special Education)
Even when parents and school officials try their best to reach agreement on a student’s special education program, disagreements can occur. If this happens, mediation, which is a free, voluntary, and confidential alternative to a formal due process hearing, is an option. Mediation can take place at any time before or during the due process cycle. Mediation is not a required process and may not delay or deny a parent the right to a due process hearing. Information on the Mediation process from the Office of Dispute Resolution (Special Education).
Request for Translation and Interpretation Services
Federal civil rights laws require schools to provide free language services for multilingual parents or caregivers whose first language is not English. This form and checklist includes questions the parent or caregiver can ask about the types of language services available and when the school can provide language services. By asking these questions, the parent or caregiver will learn about the process to request language services and the point of contact at the school responsible for providing interpretation and/or translation. This self-advocacy tool is available for general education in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Nepali. This self-advocacy tool is available for special education in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Nepali.
Education Rights for Mentally Gifted Students
Consumer Legal Information Pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Gifted education is mandated under Pennsylvania law. The requirements is placed on public school districts to provide gifted students with specially designed instruction. The School Code permits, but does not require, parochial and private school students to participate in public-school gifted services. Charter and cyber schools are not required to provide gifted services. (September 2014)
Education Rights for Students with Disabilities
Consumer Legal Information Pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. The federal Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) guarantees a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) to all students with disabilities who qualify for special education services. Schools must provide individualized supports and services so that a child with a disability can make meaningful educational progress. (September 2014)
Accommodating Health Needs in School: 504 Plans - What Can a Parent Do if a Child has a Health Need that Requires Support or Services in School?
There are many steps that schools must take to make sure that children with health needs are supported to learn and are included in all parts of school. This fact sheet explains the rights that children with health problems have in school, including the right to be identified, evaluated, and receive an accommodations plan and the right to be free from disability discrimination. The goal is to make sure every student with a disability can fully participate in school. Accommodations help students with disabilities succeed at school and create a level playing field for the child. [PDF] (August 2024)
Education Law Center
The Education Law Center is a non-profit legal advocacy and educational organization, dedicated to ensuring that all of Pennsylvania's children have access to a quality public education.
Request for Translation and Interpretation Services
Federal civil rights laws require schools to provide free language services for multilingual parents or caregivers whose first language is not English. This form and checklist includes questions the parent or caregiver can ask about the types of language services available and when the school can provide language services. By asking these questions, the parent or caregiver will learn about the process to request language services and the point of contact at the school responsible for providing interpretation and/or translation. This self-advocacy tool is available for general education in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Nepali. This self-advocacy tool is available for special education in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Nepali.
The Right to Special Education In Pennsylvania: A Guide for Parents and Advocates [PDF]
Children with disabilities can do great things in school and in life when they get the right supports and services. This Guide is meant to help you – the parent – learn how the system designed to educate children with disabilities (called special education) works in Pennsylvania and how you can make it work for your child. This Guide describes the legal rules for special education and early intervention programs in Pennsylvania for children from ages three until the student’s 22nd birthday. The rules discussed in this Guide apply to children who attend public schools in Pennsylvania, including charter schools. (2021)
Your Student’s Right to Compensatory Education
If your student with a disability has been denied needed educational services required by law, your student is entitled to makeup educational services, or compensatory education. Compensatory education is an equitable remedy, which means it is based on the idea of fairness. Compensatory education is meant to put a student in the same position they would be in if the school had provided appropriate special education and supports in the first place. Because of that, compensatory education is highly individualized and broadly flexible to the needs of your student.
Call the Special Education in PA ConsultLine
Call ConsultLine: 1-800-879-2301. ConsultLine, a service of the Office for Dispute Resolution, is designed to assist parents and advocates of children with disabilities or children thought to be disabled. Reach out with any questions concerning your child's special education program or the laws relating to the provision of services in your child's Individualized Educational Program (IEP). ConsultLine provides information about school-related concerns, special education regulations, procedural safeguards, and parents’ rights. The ConsultLine is designed to be used by parents and parent/advocacy organizations.
Educational Programs for Students in Non-Educational Placements
School-age children are sometimes placed in residential programs for reasons not related to the child's educational needs, for example, under the auspices of a county Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities (MH/ID) program agency, children and youth agency, or through a local court. This Basic Education Circular discusses the obligations of school districts to educate students with disabilities who reside in residential facilities within the school districts' boundaries.
Extended School Year Services in Pennsylvania
Extended School Year (ESY) services are special education and related services that are provided to students with disabilities beyond the 180-day school year. This guide contains a comprehensive compilation of documents that will provide direction, respond to questions, and guide parents and local education agencies in making determinations about ESY services. February 2025.
Mediation (Special Education)
Even when parents and school officials try their best to reach agreement on a student’s special education program, disagreements can occur. If this happens, mediation, which is a free, voluntary, and confidential alternative to a formal due process hearing, is an option. Mediation can take place at any time before or during the due process cycle. Mediation is not a required process and may not delay or deny a parent the right to a due process hearing. Information on the Mediation process from the Office of Dispute Resolution (Special Education).
Nonpublic Schools
Information from the PA Department of Education on Students with Disabilities who are placed in a Nonpublic school; Approved Private Schools and the Chartered Schools for the Deaf and Blind; and Students with Disabilities who are placed by their parents in a nonpublic school.
Parents’ Rights: Understanding the Procedural Safeguards Notice
Parents of children who receive or who may be eligible for special education services have rights under a law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This brochure provides a summary of those rights. The Procedural Safeguards Notice provides a more detailed explanation of those rights. (Updated 7/25)
Questions and Answers on Special Education and Homelessness
Information from the the Pennsylvania Department of Education about issues surrounding the provision of Special Education to a homeless child. The document provides State and local educational officials, services providers, and homeless assistance coordinators with information to assist with implementation of the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento Act). This Q & A document represents the Department’s current thinking on these topics. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person.
Special Education Timelines
This booklet cites the special education timelines in accordance with the requirements of Pennsylvania law, Chapter 711 Charter School and Cyber Charter School Services and Programs for Children with Disabilities, Chapter 14 Special Education Services and Programs and Federal Regulations Part 300, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). (January 2026)
Accessible Instructional Materials for Children with Disabilities
Information from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania on the availability of Accessible Instructional Materials for children with disabilities. Accessible instructional materials are specialized or alternative formats of textbooks and other instructional materials such as Braille, audio, large print, and digital text.
Should I Graduate This Year? A Guide for Students and Their Families
Disability Rights Pennsylvania provides information on graduation requirements for students receiving Special Education at school under the guidance of an IEP Team. This guide was created to answer some questions about graduation and provide a general sense of what your legal rights are.
Special Education for School-Age Children (age 3 to graduation or age 21)
Information from Disability Rights Pennsylvania on Special Education Services Available to Children with Disabilities beginning at age 3.