Special Education
Important update regarding Free Appropriate Public Education from the Pennsylvania Department of Education:
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Office Of Elementary and Secondary Education
August 30, 2023
PENN*LINK
To: School District Superintendents
School District Special Education Directors
Intermediate Unit Executive Directors
Intermediate Unit Special Education Directors
Charter School Chief Executive Officers
Charter School Special Education Directors
From: Carole L. Clancy, Ed. D., Director Bureau of Special Education
Subject: Change in Age of Eligibility for Free and Appropriate Public Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is writing to communicate an important policy change that will provide continued education services to special education students. This policy change will ensure students can access Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as they are entitled under federal law.
Effective no later than September 5, 2023, all students entitled to FAPE and all of the rights and procedural safeguards under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Chapter 14 of Title 22 of the Pennsylvania Code may remain enrolled in public school until they turn 22 years of age. This includes students who turned 21 and exited during or after the 2022-2023 school term.
