On July 1, 2024, PDE Bureau of Special Education Director Dr. Carole L. Clancy sent a PENN*LINK message to LEAs with the subject line Approved Private School and Chartered School for the Deaf and the Blind Preliminary Deductions. The memo states that in accordance with sections 13-1376 and 13-1376.1 of the School Code, 24 P.S. §§ 13-1376 and 13-1376.1, this message is to notify school districts and charter schools (collectively referred to hereinafter as “local educational agencies” or “LEAs”) that have placed students at an Approved Private School (APS) or Chartered School for the Deaf and the Blind (Chartered School) of its preliminary payment amount for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year.

As of May 15, 2024, student data has been entered by the LEAs and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) electronically through the Approved Private School Electronic Management (APSEM) system. If any student data is incorrect, it is the LEA’s responsibility to follow up with the APS or Chartered School and make corrections in APSEM. The LEA is responsible for submitting the Request for Change in Approved Private School or Chartered School Assignment to PDE in a timely manner.

Please log into the APSEM system and run the Application for Educational Assignment to Approved Private Schools and Chartered Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Enrollment Deduction Report for school year 2023-24. These amounts are preliminary and are subject to change before the June 1, 2025 deductions.

You may find the above information useful when completing your 2024-25 General Fund Budget (PDE-2028).

If you have any questions pertaining to the Request for Change in Approved Private School or Chartered School Assignment, accounting, and/or deductions, contact Eileen Jacobs-Crummel at [email protected] or 717-257-6652.

On July 1, 2024, PDE Bureau of Special Education Director Dr. Carole L. Clancy sent a PENN*LINK message to LEAs with the subject line 2024-25 Special Education Compliance Monitoring Schedule. the memo states that the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has the responsibility to ensure that all local educational agencies (LEAs) providing services, whether directly or by contractual arrangements, administer special education services and programs that are compliant with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. To fulfill this responsibility, PDE has established administrative procedures for monitoring program implementation, including evaluating the appropriateness, effectiveness, and accountability of special education services and programs.

PDE has developed the schedule for compliance monitoring for the 2024-2025 school year in which 125 school districts and charter schools of varying size across the commonwealth will be monitored. The list of selected LEAs is included at the end of this Penn Link. Additional monitoring reviews, if deemed appropriate, may be designated as the school year progresses.

For the 2023-24 school year, the Cyclical Monitoring for Continuous Improvement (CMCI) process includes a combination of virtual and onsite components. Verification activities include digital and onsite review of student documents; studies of service delivery; and analysis of policies, procedures, and outcomes. This CMCI process will include:

• Virtual Components
  • Facilitated Self-Assessment submitted by the LEA, and verification of the information reported in the Facilitated Self-Assessment.
  • Administrative and Exit Interviews
  • Parent and Teacher Interviews
• On-Site Components
  • Student Sample File Review
  • Classroom Observations

Training for this monitoring process is designed as a series of web-based training modules. These modules will be available on thePaTTAN website and Leader Services website in late July. Relevant LEA personnel must complete the trainings and report date of completion to the Chairperson assigned to your monitoring by September 9, 2024.

These training modules review the current monitoring process, Facilitated Self-Assessment submission, documents to be submitted, and management of web-based documentation, as well as provide additional resources to assist LEA personnel to prepare for the monitoring process. District superintendents, charter school chief executive officers, special education directors, and additional appropriate personnel at LEAs who will be monitored, will benefit from completing these training modules to familiarize themselves with the monitoring process.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in complying with this federally mandated requirement. PDE recognizes the time and effort required by each LEA to successfully participate in these monitorings. The Chairperson assigned to each monitoring will contact the LEA for follow up. Should you have any questions regarding the 2024-2025 monitoring schedule included below, please contact Kelli Franklin at [email protected].

               SPECIAL EDUCATION CYCLICAL COMPLIANCE MONITORING SCHEDULE

School Districts and Charter Schools to be Monitored in 2024-2025