Special Education:   An education program individually designed for an exceptional student.  A special education professional is directly involved as either a consultant, a service provider or a classroom teacher.

Determining Eligibility:   A student may be exceptional if both qualifications are met.  (1)   The student must have an identified physical, sensory, mental or emotional disability or be mentally gifted.  (2)   The student demonstrates a need for special education services as determined by an IEP Team that typically is composed of a regular education teacher, a special education teacher, a district representative and the student's parents.

Program:   Programming for students with disabilities is differentiated through the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process.  In many instances, more frequent and sometimes more intensive strategies, adaptations and accommodations are provided than would normally be present in regular education programs.  The degree of service for exceptional students is contingent upon individual needs.  In order to provide an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment, the district provides a continuum of placement options with the necessary resources to implement each student's IEP.

Gifted support services include appropriate opportunities for individual acceleration and relevant enrichment.

Special Education Programs in Boyertown serve students that are mildly to severely retarded, hearing impaired, speech/language impaired, visually impaired, learning disabled, severely emotionally disturbed, physically disabled, brain damaged, autistic and gifted.  Each school operates its own program for all but the most severely disabled students.  These students attend life skills classes at Colebrookdale Elementary School, Junior High School East and the Senior High School.