Special Education, Section 504, and Child Find
The Lancaster School District is committed to providing all students with a free and appropriate public education. In order to meet the needs of a diverse population, the District offers special education services and supports, access to supplementary aids, and alternative programs.
Special Education consists of specially designed instruction for students (ages 3-21 years) who have been identified by either the District’s Committee on Preschool Education (CPSE) or the Committee on Special Education (CSE) as having a disability that interferes with learning. These multidisciplinary teams of parents and professionals determine eligibility, coordinate evaluations, and recommend programs or services. Members of the committee include the child’s parent(s), a school psychologist, a special education teacher, a general education teacher, a parent of a child with a disability (for full, not sub-committees), and an administrator. Additional professionals, such as a building principal, speech/language pathologist, and the school physician, may also participate.
The committees, appointed by and responsible to the Board of Education, hold meetings on a regular basis. The District is committed to identifying children with disabilities and providing appropriate services and supports within the least restrictive environment. Should you suspect your child has a disability, please contact your building principal or the office of the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Pupil Personnel Services at (716) 686-3207.
In addition, all children receiving special education services are entitled to review at least once yearly. The purpose of the annual review is to recommend the continuation, modification, or termination of the provision of special education programs and supports. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend these meetings, typically held at the child’s school of attendance.
Section 504
Consistent with the District's policy against discrimination on the basis of disability, students with special needs who do not require special education services may receive accommodations and/or related services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Pupil Personnel Services serves as the District's Section 504 ADA Coordinator.
Child Find
The Lancaster Central School District works collaboratively with all non-public schools within our geographic boundaries to locate, evaluate, and identify children suspected of having a disability. These Child Find provisions extend to all resident and non-resident students attending schools within the District. Children who are homeless or are considered wards of the state are also entitled to these services.