• Important changes to PDE policies 

    Introduction

    • The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is implementing a policy change to better serve students who receive special education services.
    • This change:
      • Impacts all students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
      • Ensures students can access Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as they are entitled under federal law; and
      • Builds on the Commonwealth’s commitment to ensure that all learners have access to high-quality education.

    Policy Change

    • No later than September 5, 2023, all students entitled to FAPE and all 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 year.
      (Approximately - 1355 students who exited / eligible across the Commonwealth)

    Link:  https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Special%20Education/IDEA/Pages/default.aspx