Pennsylvania

The goal for Pennsylvania within the AIM consortium is to strengthen the capacity of local education agencies (LEAs) in Pennsylvania to provide appropriate accessible instructional materials in a timely manner to all students who need them. Action steps to address our goal include:

• to develop and implement a plan for providing professional development to improve LEA capacity to deliver appropriate accessible instructional materials;
• to develop and implement a plan for providing communication and professional development designed to improve the capacity of LEAs to:
  • understand the provisions of Section 300.172 of Part B of IDEA 2004 and Chapter 14,
  • identify students with print disabilities
  • determine which specialized formats and technology tools are appropriate for students with print disabilities
  • acquire specialized formats and supporting tools for students with print disabilities
• to develop and implement a plan for leveraging existing resources within Pennsylvania, including using regional and national resources

AIM State Project Directors

Janet Sloand
Managing Director
Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
200 Anderson Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 265-7321
jsloand [at] pattan [dot] net

James M. Palmiero
Managing Director
Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
3190 William Pitt Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 826-6851
jpalmiero [at] pattan [dot] net

Debby Holzapfel
Educational Consultant
Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
3190 William Pitt Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 826-2336, ext. 6843
(412) 826-1964 (fax)
dholzapfel [at] pattan [dot] net

Susan Q. Gill, M.Ed.
Educational Consultant
Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
200 Anderson Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 265-7321, ext. #264
sgill [at] pattan [dot] net

Frank Irzyk
Educational Consultant
Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
6340 Flank Drive, Suite 600
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 541-4960, ext. 3334
firzyk [at] pattan [dot] net

Textbook Acquisition

Pennsylvania is an “open territory” state with no centralized textbook acquisition. The selection and purchase of core instructional materials, textbooks and instructional materials, is a local district activity.

Policy Positions & Documents

http://www.pattan.net/regsforms/chapter14(schooldistricts).aspx [1]
Final Chapter 14 regulations were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on June 28, 2008, and became effective on July 1, 2008.

Special Education regulations in Pennsylvania for school districts are found under the 22 PA Code, Chapter 14. Chapter 14 provides regulatory guidance to ensure compliance with federal law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004, and its regulations. The provisions of Chapter 14 ensure that all students with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that is designed to enable the students to participate fully and independently in the community, including preparation for employment or higher education. Chapter 14 also ensures that the rights of students with disabilities and parents of these students are protected.

For detailed Chapter 14 information view the state regulations link: http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter14/chap14toc.html [1].

For a side-by-side quick reference comparison of Chapter 14 to IDEA regulations, see the following link: Side-by-Side Chapter 14/IDEA Regulations: http://www.pattan.net/files/law/sidebyside021209.pdf [2].

Access to instructional materials is referenced in Pennsylvania Code section § 14.106 of Pennsylvania’s Chapter 14 (view directly with the following link): http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter14/s14.106.html [3].

Coordinate with NIMAC?

Yes, starting July 1, 2008.

Authorized User:
Cathy Nadberazny
cathyn [at] pattan [dot] net
PaTTAN AIM Center (formerly PaTTAN Production Services)
Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
Harrisburg, PA

State Contact:
Debby Holzapfel
dholzapfel [at] pattan [dot] net
PaTTan
Pittsburgh, PA

Definition of “Timely Manner”

Has been defined within Chapter 14 regulations section. Access to instructional materials is referenced in section § 14.106 of Pennsylvania’s Chapter 14 (http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter14/s14.106.html [3]).

WebLinks

Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network
http://www.pattan.net [4]