Special Education - Sayre Area School District

The Sayre Area School District is currently utilizing an ability - predicted achievement discrepancy
model to identify students with specific learning disabilities. The district school psychologist
conducts a comprehensive psycho-educational evaluation that investigates the scope and depth
of each student's learning strengths and needs. The evaluation includes a comprehensive
assessment of cognitive and developmental skills including visual attention, auditory attention,
executive functions, language, sensorimotor skills, visuo-spatial skills, and memory (visual
memory, auditory memory, and visual-auditory memory). In addition, the evaluation includes a
comprehensive assessment reading, math, and written language skills. Special attention is given
to explain how underlying psychological processes influence learning in each achievement area.
Along with the multi-disciplinary team, a parent who may suspect their child has a learning
disability may also notify the Special Education Office to request an evaluation. Once a signed
Permission to Evaluate form is received, the school psychologist will observe, collect classroom
and assessment data, and administer both cognitive and intellectual scales. The school
psychologist will also use behavioral and adaptive functioning scales on students with issues in
these realms.
When making a determination if a student has a learning disability, a multidisciplinary team
determines that the academic problems are not the result of lack of instruction or other disabilities
such as vision, hearing, speech, motor problems, mental retardation, emotional disturbance,
cultural, envioronmental issues, or limited English proficiency. The determination is based on the
student's failure to meet age or grade level standards in one of the follwing areas: oral
expression, listening comprehension, written expression, basic reading skills, reading
comprehension, mathematical caluculation, and mathematical problem solving. Along with these
learning disability areas, students may qualify for special education services provided for by an
IEP if the students' emotional disability impedes their ability to learn in a regular education setting.
Once the evaluation is complete, the results are discussed with parents and appropriate staff. If
the student is found eligible for special education, an Individualized Education Plan is
developed. The IEP will outline and detail the specially designed instruction the student needs to
benefit from the FAPE being offered to him/her at Sayre Area School District.
Enrollment Differences
Not significantly disproportionate.
Ethnicity Enrollment Differences
Not significantly disproportionate.
24 P.S., §1306 and §1306.2 Placements
Facilities for Nonresident Students
Facility Name Provider of Educational Services # of Students Receiving
Srvcs as of Dec 1
Sayre Area School
District
We do not host any programs for students in
the 1306 category.
0